Solvent Absorption by Carbon Fibre Reinforced PEEK Laminates

Abstract

The absorption of organic liquids by polyaryl ether-etherketone (PEEK) was investigated. Experiments with carbon fibre reinforced PEEK immersed in liquids of linear and cyclic molecules at 23°±2°C show that three important parameters (molecular size, shape, and polarity) have important effects on the diffusion rate. For the purposes of this study, using fibrous laminates rather than unreinforced polymers ensured matrix samples which were well-characterised and representative of practical materials with respect to crystallinity.

Special attention was directed to alkanes and alcohols. Three dimensional plots of weight absorption against hydrogen bonding capacity and the product of molar volume and solubility parameter mismatch are presented.

Implications for solvent resistance are suggested.

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