Influence of carbonaceous reinforcements on mechanical and tribological properties of PEEK composites – a review

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, the Polymer materials play a niche role in engineering material industries because of their supportive and cooperative material properties like lightweight, less noise, self-lubrication behaviour, and cost-effectiveness, etc. In this case, the polymer materials do not give the desired properties individually, instead different types of fillers are added to increase the strength of the polymers. Among the different types of thermoplastic engineering polymers, in this manuscript PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone)-based polymer composite is reviewed. Generally, the PEEK is one of the most significant chemical resistant polymers besides that it possesses favourable basic physical, mechanical, and electrical properties. PEEK semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer possesses desirable thermal stability and is being used for high-performance engineering applications. Researchers have studied the influence of the various type of filler materials for improving the properties of PEEK. Our aim in this study is to review the influence of Carbon Nano Fibers (CNF), Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), and Graphene (G) as reinforcement in PEEK. This carbonaceous reinforcement is having a strength even greater than the strength of the steel, but its density is much lesser than steel. This character makes CNF-PEEK nanocomposites to be utilized in Aircraft applications. Likewise, carbon nanotubes and graphene are other predominant reinforcement materials used in making PEEK-based polymer composites. These reinforcements in combination make the PEEK nanocomposite system shield against electromagnetic interference and also enhance its electrical conductivity and thermal stability as well based on the method of distribution. The incorporation of carbonaceous nanoreinforcements in the PEEK matrix provides greater challenge and opportunity as well to produce a novel Nanocomposite with better physical and mechanical properties. In principle, an effective reinforcement for engineering application is expected to increase the mechanical and tribological behaviors of the composite system, which has been achieved by infusing the nano-reinforcements either directly or by performing different surface treatments on the nano-reinforcements. Considering the importance of PEEK-based composites in engineering application and also on considering the role of carbonaceous reinforcements in PEEK-based polymer systems, review on manufacturing aspects of CNF/CNT/GO-PEEK nanocomposites, role of nano-reinforcements in enhancing the physical, mechanical and tribological properties is presented in this manuscript.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon fibers
• Carbon Nanotubes
• graphene
• Nano Composites
• PEEK

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support provided by a grant from National Institute of Technology, Agartala (Govt of India).

Abbreviation

1. PEEK-Poly Ether Ether Ketone

2. PEK-Poly Ether Ketone

3. CNF- Carbon Nano Fibers

4. CF-Carbon Fibers

5. CNT-Carbon Nano tubes

6. SWCNT-Single Walled Carbon Nano Tubes

7. MWCNT-Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tubes

8. GE-Graphene

9. GO-Graphene Oxide

10.Poly Aryl Ether Ketone

11. ILSS-Inter Laminar Shear Strength

12. EUMTM- Electronic Universal Material Testing Machine

13. S/T- Span to Thickness

14. TGA – Thermo Gravimetric Analysis

15. HDTA- Heat Deflection Temperature Analysis

16. DSC-Differential Scanning Calorimetry

17. SEM-Scanning Electron Microscope

18. TS-Tensile Strength

19. EB-Elongation of Break

20. FS-Flexural Strength

21. SS- Shear Strength

22.CS-Compression Strength

23.MMM- Melt Mixing Method

24. DOE-Design of Experiment

25. FDM-Fluke Digital Multi meter

26. IMT-Injection Moulding Technique

27.DMA- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

28. UTS-Ultimate Tensile Stress

29. CVD- Chemical Vapour Deposition

30. MBE-Molecular Beam Epitaxy

31. SCM-Stir Casting Method

32. UMT-Universal Micro-Tribotester

33. WSD -Wear Scar Diameter

34. TEM -Transmission Electron Microscope

35. PMC-Polymer Matrix Composite

36. UMTM-Universal Mechanical Testing Machine

37. DMTA-Dynamics Mechanical Thermal Analysis

38. PTFE-Poly Tetra Floro Ethylene

39. HA-Hydroxyapatite

40. CSM- Cold Spray Method

41. SGF- Short Carbon Fiber

42. PTW-Potassium Titanate Whisker

43. TCP – Tri Calcium Phosphate

44.BG-Bio Active Glass

45.PLLA-Poly L Lactide

46. NIM-Nano-Indentation Method

47. UHMWPE-Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

48. SrHA -Strontium substituted Hydroxyapatite

49. NASF-Natural Amorphous Silica Fibers

50. HNT- Halloysite Nanotubes

51. PEI- polyetherimide

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).