Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2014, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (1): 30-35.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2014.01.004

• Research & development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Metallic materials for energy storage flywheel rotors

KONG Dequn1, PEI Yanmin1, XING Liye1, CUI Tao1, LI Zhen2   

  1. 1State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Materials and Technology,Beijing Qifeng Energy-storage Technology Co. Ltd.,Beijing 100010,China;
    2School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,Harbin Engineering University,Harbin 150001,Heilongjiang,China
  • Received:2013-08-29 Online:2014-01-01 Published:2014-01-01

Abstract: Flywheels store mechanical energy in high speed rotating rotors. Long service life and high efficiency are two key features of the energy storage method. Energy storage density of a flywheel is proportional to the specific strength of the rotor materials. Enhancement of rotor material performance is therefore a key aspect of flywheel research. This paper reviews the research and development of metallic materials for flywheel rotors and hubs, and processing and manufacturing technologies for rotors and hubs including casting, forging, machining, heat treatment and quality inspection. Early flywheels often employ metallic rotors, which give a low energy density. Current focus of research is on flywheels consisting of a carbon fiber rim and a metallic hub. Optimal design of high energy density flywheels is featured by a shape with a thin central part and a thick edge. It is concluded that the development of metallic materials for flywheel rotors eventually lies in performance improvement of ultra-high strength steels and alloys.

Key words: flywheel, rotor, metallic material, strength, energy-storage density

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