Renewable energy

Gear steel for wind power

Over 300 kilometers per hour – this is the speed at which the tips of the 100-meter rotor blades of the largest wind turbines rotate. The trend is toward even more powerful and even larger wind turbines. With each extension of the rotors, the weight increases – especially that of the nacelles, which house the gearbox and generators. When the wind sets the huge rotors in motion, this releases enormous forces.

These forces place the highest demands on the material – especially on the gearbox and gear steel. The material used must be extremely durable, withstand very high pressure loads and resists strong temperature fluctuations. New wind turbines therefore require higher-quality steel which at the same time permits lighter construction. The development of such steel grades is a strength of Buderus Edelstahl.