Evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of PEEK/PEI matrix reinforced with halloysite nanotubes

ABSTRACT

A new nanocomposite based on a blend of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI) with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) has been fabricated. The evaluation of the mechanical properties of developed nanocomposite showed maximum enhancement in tensile, flexural, hardness and toughening properties at 2 wt% of HNTs loading. In addition, significant increment in storage modulus (E′), glass transition temperature (T_g) and onset degradation temperature was also observed. SEM analysis revealed that the perfect adhesion of matrix phase (PEEK/PEI) to dispersed phase (HNTs) was observed.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Halloysite
• PEEK
• PEI
• thermal stability
• mechanical testing

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge CIPET, Lucknow, and BBAU, Lucknow for providing necessary facilities regarding testing and characterization to conduct this research work.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abrar Ahamad

Abrar Ahamad did his M.Tech in Plastics Engineering from Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, and having teaching and research experiences in the field of polymer, plastics, and rubber composites/nanocomposites. Have expertise in the handling of sophisticated instruments for thermal, mechanical, and morphological characterization in the field of Plastics and rubber.

Pradeep Kumar

Dr. Pradeep Kumar did his M.Tech. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Roorkee and IIT Kanpur and having more than 20 years of teaching and research experience in the field of chemical engineering, polymer technology, Advance Separation Process, Molecular Modeling etc.