Balsa wood is nature’s own foam core. It has an incredibly high Shear Strength-to-Weight Ratio. Wind blade manufacturers use a hybrid design:
- PVC/PET Foam: Used in the aerodynamic fairing areas (thin sections) because it bends easily.
- End-Grain Balsa: Used in the Shear Web (the internal I-beam of the blade) because it handles extreme fatigue loads better and is more rigid than foam at the same thickness.
