Study on impregnation parameters in preparation of CFF/PEEK laminates

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 355; p. 135447
• Main Authors: Lu, Chunrui, Ma, Ji, Lu, Xue, Li, Siqi, Zheng, Ting, Ba, Shuhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-01-2024
• Subjects: Laminates; Melt flow rate; Polymeric composites; Viscosity; Viscosity; Polymeric composites; Laminates; Melt flow rate
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2023.135447

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•Impregnation parameters of temperature and pressure in the molding process of CFF/PEEK is an efficient method of achieving comparative satisfactory properties.•Temperature and holding time influence viscosity due to molecular thermal motion and decomposition.•Pressure affects infiltration through MFR and gaps between fibers due to the promoting effect of external forces.•A preferable molding condition of 380–390 °C and 0.5 MPa was concluded through comprehensive consideration of MFR, viscosity, PEEK decomposition and mechanical properties.
Molding of carbon fiber fabrics reinforced poly (ether ether ketone) (CFF/PEEK) has always been a puzzling problem due to the high viscosity of PEEK and smooth surface of CF. Impregnation parameters including temperature and pressure play a crucial role in the manufacturing of CFF/PEEK laminates by affecting the melt flow rate (MFR) and viscosity of the melt. Here we studied impregnation parameters and analyzed their influence on MFR, viscosity and mechanical properties of CFF/PEEK. It is concluded that temperature affects impregnation by altering viscosity and MFR while pressure affects impregnation by changing MFR and gaps between fibers. By adjusting temperature and pressure, both ILSS and tensile strength can be improved by approximately 36 %. The suitable temperature is 380–390 °C and the pressure is 0.5 MPa.