Expert Seminar Spotlight | Prof. Conchúr Ó Brádaigh
Novel Powder Epoxy Composites for Thin-Section Structures
Thick-section composite structures—such as wind and tidal turbine blades—pose major manufacturing challenges due to the exothermic curing behavior of thermosetting resins. Without precise control, excessive heat can lead to defects, warpage, or even material degradation.
At the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Ó Brádaigh and his team are developing low-exotherm powder epoxy resin systems as a promising solution.
This seminar presents:
Vacuum-bag-only processing techniques using novel epoxy powders
Coupled heat transfer and resin flow models to simulate impregnation and curing
Experimental validation using custom setups that track temperature and laminate thickness in real time
Implementation of models into commercial FEA tools via user-defined subroutines
Case studies on 100-ply laminates and wind turbine blade roots to reduce cure gradients and optimize processing
The team also developed a pilot-scale towpregging line using electrostatic powder application and joule/radiant heating—producing CFRP and BFRP laminates with tensile properties rivaling or exceeding commercial systems. Even hygrothermal durability was tested through water immersion studies.
A comprehensive demonstration of how powder epoxy composites can revolutionize the processing of large-scale, thick composite parts—combining experimental insights, numerical modeling, and industrial relevance.
Catch the full talk on the cdmHUB YouTube channel as part of the Global Composites Expert Webinar Series.
