The BUMAX fastener solution has been verified by a two-year pilot project that has contributed to the development of the next generation tidal turbine, capable of providing Europe with reliable renewable energy.
BUMAX® 88 fasteners were used on the 1 MW HydroQuest tidal turbine installed off the coast of Brittany in Northwest France. After over two years of operation at the Paimpol-Bréhat site at 30 m depth, the turbine fasteners showed no traces of corrosion or galling. Tests of the mechanical properties (both strength and ductility) of the bolts conducted by BUMAX after the pilot project showed that they had maintained their properties.
The BUMAX® 88 grade was selected for its high molybdenum content and high Pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) that indicates a high resistance to localized pitting corrosion. The 316L grade stainless steel has an excellent track record in demanding marine applications to provide durable and maintenance-free fastener solutions.
The corrosion resistance, high pitting resistance and high strength provided by BUMAX® 88 bolts are essential for maintenance-free fasteners in corrosive saltwater marine environments.
