Abstract: A protected turbine blade includes a first turbine blade shell and a second turbine blade shell, being fiber-reinforced, are connected by a cured resin and provided with a protective cover at a leading edge. The protective cover is a composite comprising a layer of UV-resistant thermoplastic material and a layer of cured epoxy resin, the UV-resistant thermoplastic material having the following properties a surface free energy of less than 35 mJ/m2, and a erosion resistance of the thermoplastic material larger than the erosion resistance of the cured resin connecting the turbine blade shells. The layer of cured epoxy-resin covers the cured resin over at least part of the length of the distal half of the turbine blade, and is bonded to said turbine blade. A method of manufacturing such a turbine blade, and to a turbine having such turbine blades is also provided.

Abstract: A protected turbine blade includes a first turbine blade shell and a second turbine blade shell, being fibre-reinforced, are connected by a cured resin and provided with a protective cover at a leading edge. The protective cover is a composite comprising a layer of UV-resistant thermoplastic material and a layer of cured epoxy resin, the UV-resistant thermoplastic material having the following properties a surface free energy of less than 35 mJ/m2, and a erosion resistance of the thermoplastic material larger than the erosion resistance of the cured resin connecting the turbine blade shells. The layer of cured epoxy-resin covers the cured resin over at least part of the length of the distal half of the turbine blade, and is bonded to said turbine blade. A method of manufacturing such a turbine blade, and to a turbine having such turbine blades is also provided.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a turbine blade half using resin infusion molding. The method includes providing a mold for a turbine blade shell with fiber mats, placing a strengthening member over the fiber mats in the mould; placing a air-impermeable sealing layer over the fiber mats and against the strengthening member; introducing a curable resin in the fiber mats under reduced pressure, including in the area below the strengthening member; and curing the resin to form a turbine blade half, said turbine blade half comprising a turbine blade shell attached to the strengthening member. An aspect of the invention also relates to a turbine blade half, a method of producing a turbine blade, and to a turbine blade.