Characterization and cold compaction of polyether‐etherketone powders

Abstract

AbstractThis study deals with the characterization and cold compaction of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) powders. Four different types of PEEK powders which are commercially available from Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) were characterized for density, crystallinity, particle size, particle size distribution, and particle morphology. Fine and coarse size powders of a low viscosity grade (150PF and 150P) and similar powders of a high viscosity grade (450PF and 450P) were processed. Compaction was successful at room temperature using the 150 grade powders but not with the 450 grade powders. Compressibility curves were obtained at room temperature for the 150 grade powders and their post‐compaction viscoelastic recoveries were measured. The coarse and fine size 150 grade powders reached relative plateau densities of 95.8% and 95.1%, respectively, when compacted at pressures exceeding 300 MPa. These high densification values at room temperature were associated with minimal post‐compaction viscoelastic recoveries and as‐compacted strengths as high as 8.9 MPa. A modified densification parameter (DP*) was developed based on the plastic deformation of the crystalline regions alone. This new dimensionless parameter, DP*, demonstrated a better fit of all the compaction data. The transverse rupture strength and the green density data are presented and explained in terms of this DP*.