Fabrication of High-Strength Waste-Wind-Turbine-Blade-Powder-Reinforced Polypropylene Composite via Solid-State Stretching

Bo Tan, Xiaotong Wang, Zhilong Pu, Shuangqiao Yang () and Min Nie
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Bo Tan: College of Intelligent Networking and New Energy Automobile, Geely University of China, Chengdu 641423, China
Xiaotong Wang: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
Zhilong Pu: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Shuangqiao Yang: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Min Nie: State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: In recent years, wind energy has emerged as one of the fastest-growing green technologies globally, with projections indicating that decommissioned wind turbine blades (WTBs) will accumulate to millions of tons by the 2030s. Due to their thermosetting nature and high glass/carbon fiber content, the efficient recycling of WTBs remains a challenge. In this study, we utilized solid-state shear milling (S3M) to produce a fine WTB powder, which then underwent surface modification with a silane coupling agent (KH550), and we subsequently fabricated WTB-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with enhanced mechanical performance through solid-state stretching. The stretching-process-induced orientation of the PP molecular chains and glass fibers led to orientation-induced crystallization of PP and significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the PP/WTB@550 composites. With 30 wt. % WTB content, the PP/WTB@550 composite achieved a tensile strength of 142.61 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 3991.19 MPa at a solid-state stretching temperature of 110 °C and a stretching ratio of 3, representing increases of 268% and 471%, respectively, compared to the unstretched sample. This work offers both theoretical insights and experimental evidence supporting the high-value recycling and reuse of WTBs through a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable approach. Due to the enhanced mechanical properties of the PP/WTB composite and the intrinsic waterproofing and corrosion resistance of PP, it is hoped that such a composite would be used in road engineering and building materials, such as geogrids, wall panels, floor boards, and floor tiles.

Keywords: retired wind turbine blades; recycling; polypropylene; solid-state stretching; mechanical property (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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