Erosion test | ASTM G73-10

One of the most essential erosion tests with regard to leading edge protection of wind turbine blades is the ASTM G73-10 test. This test is performed by means of a rotating arm and its primary purpose is to establish the durability and service life of various types of coating and other protective materials.

Procedure for erosion test ASTM G73-10

1. The customer receives test profiles in fibreglass-reinforced polymer (FRP)
2. The customer applies the leading edge protection product
3. The customer returns the coated test profiles to PolyTech
4. The test profiles are secured to the rotating arm in the test equipment
5. The profiles are accelerated to the speed designated by the customer (typically a blade tip speed of 160 m/s).
6. The nozzles are opened, simulating droplets measuring 1-2 mm and a precipitation volume of 30-35 mm/hour
7. The test runs for a total time defined by the customer
8. The test is interrupted every half hour (or another customer specified interval) for photo documentation of the erosion
9. Data and photos from the test are collated in a Test Report.

Standard test parameters

• Droplet size: 1-2 mm
• Precipitation volume: 30-35 mm/hour
• Temperature: 20°C-25°C

Customer-defined test parameters

• Blade tip speed
• Intervals between photo documentation
• Duration of the test
  
  

Recommended evaluation of test results

The photos from the test are converted into a graph by measuring the development of the erosion (mm) in each interval and plotting them in. If the graphs from several tests are compared, the shallowest slope will express the greatest resistance and thus the best service life of the leading edge protection options tested.

 

Independent third-party test
The Polytech Test Center is accredited by DANAK in accordance with the ISO 17025 standard and operates as an independent test institute.

Contact us for additional information.