Enhancing Particle Erosion Resistance of Glass-Reinforced Polymeric Composites Using Carbon Nanofiber-Based Nanopaper Coatings

Sand erosion may cause severe damage of blades in wind turbine and helicopter blades as well as many surface compo- nents of airplanes. In this study, thin nanopapers made of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are used to enhance the resistance of solid parti- cle erosion of glass fiber (GF)/wind epoxy composites. Finite element computer simulations are used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The much higher particle erosion resistance of nanopapers compared to GF-reinforced epoxy composites is attributed to the high strength of CNFs and their nanoscale structure. The excellent performance in particle erosion resistance makes the CNF- based nanopaper a prospective protective coating material for the turbine blades in the wind energy industry. V C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 000: 000-000, 2012