Screw protection caps for
on- and offshore wind turbines
Introduction
RADOLID® Thiel GmbH is a globally active company that Siemens Gamesa, as well as a variety of different compa-
has specialised in the production and marketing of screw nies from the servicing and maintenance, installation and
protection caps made from plastic for over 50 years. Our setup, components and spare parts management sectors.
products protect screw connections from corrosion and dirt
in the automotive, wind power, steel and mechanical en-
gineering and construction industries.
Our products have been used on wind turbines for 30 years,
initially onshore and, as the industry has increasingly ex-
panded, also offshore. In the supply chain, we supply to
some of the largest systems manufacturers such as GE and
Corrosion on wind turbine screw connections
On offshore turbines especially, resilient protection against Turbines that are onshore are generally exposed to less
corrosion is of fundamental importance for ensuring the aggressive environmental conditions than those at sea.
construction‘s operational safety. The constantly high levels Nevertheless, rainfall can for example cause corrosion re-
of moisture and salt content in both the air and sea water actions, especially on foundation screws. In this case, we
create the ideal conditions for an electrochemical corro- recommend the use of a RADOLID® screw protection cap
sion reaction. Added to this are the strains on the com- for categories C2 and C3. In addition to the protection
ponents from UV radiation, abrasive waves and wind. In cap‘s corrosion protection function, it is used in particular
order to protect the elements of a screw connection from onshore as a means of preventing injury, making the un-
these strains, they are usually given a metal coating im- warranted loosening of the connection more difficult.
mediately after the manufacturing process. The rigours of
transport and assembly, however, mean these components
can experience mechanical damage, preventing all-round
corrosion protection on the screw connection from being
guaranteed. We therefore recommend a RADOLID® screw
protection cap in combination with our EP7010 corrosion
protection grease, for corrosiveness category C5-M.
Corrossion protection effect and features
The RADOLID® screw protection cap reduces the contact The internal circumferential chamfer forms a protective
between the corrosive medium and the screw connection chamber. With this, if there is any slight fluid ingress, the
as much as possible, ensuring that corrosion reactions are fluid can collect, preventing it from penetrating the interior
kept to an absolute minimum. The protection cap achie- of the cap.
ves its sealing effect thanks to the system described below,
patented by RADOLID®, consisting of a sealing lip, circular The round cross-section inhibits any possible crevice
groove and round cross-section. corrosion. If a protective cap with an internal hex is used,
the outer surfaces of the nut form a gap area with the
The external circumferential sealing lip on the cap adapts abutting interior surfaces of the cap. If the width of this
to the surface characteristics of the contact surface and gap is smaller than the critical gap width, then crevice
seals the system off as extensively as possible to the out corrosion occurs. Thanks to its round cross-section, the
side. RADOLID® cap will not fail to reach the critical gap width.
Quick and easy installation
RADOLID® screw protection caps are clamped using the
interior clamping edge to the nut or screw head (SW type)
or screwed using the interior lugs onto the thread projec-
tion (BM type). Special types that combine both types of
connection are also available, as are types for round nuts
(e.g. IHF Stretch System). Our technical sales team will be
happy to assist you with advice regarding your specific
application requirements.
For assembly, SW-type clamping caps can be applied by
hand or using a rubber mallet to the nut or the screw cap.
The use of only branded raw material means that there is
no risk of damage to or even bursting of the cap. BM-type
screw caps can be simply screwed onto the thread. For the
use of assembly tools, there are either tightening lugs or a
hexagon on the outside of the cap. We would be happy to
provide appropriate assembly instructions for the various
cap types.
Salt spray tests according to DIN 9227 after 1.000 h
Given the roughness of the contact surface, the entry of plug, so that the sensor can be accessed without having to
fluid into the protection cap can in some cases be unavoid dismantle the cap. After measurement, the plug is placed
able, especially with offshore applications. This does not back in the corresponding drill hole by hand. Our technical
render the protection cap ineffective, however. Exposure sales team would be happy to advise you on this too.
tests in collaboration with the Fraunhofer IWES, salt spray
tests and our many years of experience have shown that We would be delighted to share the results and reports
significantly less corrosion occurs on a screw connection from the tests mentioned above with you upon request.
with a RADOLID® protection cap than on an unprotected
connection, even if moisture does enter the cap. You can
see the results of a salt spray mist test below:
To allow fluid to escape again, especially in cases of invert
ed installations, we offer protection caps featuring drill
holes. We position these at the lowest point of the cap so
that liquid is able to flow out, but not in. Where a screw
connection with sensors is used (e.g. PMTS Intelligent Fas-
tener®), we equip the protection cap with a removable
References
Alpha Ventus
SW-type clamping caps on platform connections
Onshore foundations
SW-type clamping caps on tower flange connections
1.5 Megawatt Turbines
Protection Caps type SW on hub connections
Deutsche Bucht
BM-type screw caps on tower flange connections with sensors (IHF connecting elements
RADOLID® Thiel GmbH
Langenstück 2
58579 Schalksmühle
Germany
Phone +49 (0) 23 51/ 97 94 94
Fax +49 (0) 23 51/ 97 94 90
info@radolid.de
Contact
Mr Fabian Henkes
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
Technical Consulting & Sales / Key Account Manager
Phone +49 (0) 23 51/ 97 94 95
fhenkes@radolid.de
www.radolid.de
