Abstract
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a novel polymer material with excellent material properties. The hardness and strength of PEEK can be further improved by introducing fiber reinforcements to meet the high-performance index of the aerospace industry. The machinability will be influenced when the material properties change. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the influence of material properties of the fiber-reinforced PEEK on machinability. In this paper, the main materials include pure PEEK, short carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK (CF/PEEK), and short glass-fiber-reinforced PEEK (GF/PEEK). The effects of the fiber type and mass fraction on the tensile strength, hardness, and elastic modulus of materials were discussed using the tensile test and nanoindentation experiments. Furthermore, the fiber-reinforced PEEK lapping machinability was investigated using lapping experiments with abrasive papers of different mesh sizes. The results showed that the hardness and elastic modulus of PEEK could be improved with fiber mass fraction, and the tensile strength of CF/PEEK can be improved compared with that of GF/PEEK. In terms of lapping ability, the material removal rates of the fiber-reinforced materials were found to be lower than the pure PEEK due to the higher hardness of the fiber. During the lapping process, the material removal methods mainly included the ductile deformation or desquamation of reinforcing fiber and ductile removal of the PEEK matrix. The lapped surface roughness of PEEK material can be improved by fiber reinforcement.
Highlights
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a novel crystalline thermoplastic polymer material that is widely used in aerospace, electronics, and medical industries for its excellent properties, such as low density and superior machinability [1–3]
The results showed that carbon fiber, glass fiber, and TiO2 could effectively increase the tensile strength of the PEEK matrix
The results demonstrated that PEEK was a single-phase material with constant values of nano-hardness and modulus, whereas carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK (CF/PEEK) and glass-fiber-reinforced PEEK (GF/PEEK) were fiber composite materials with superior hardness and elastic modulus
Summary
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a novel crystalline thermoplastic polymer material that is widely used in aerospace, electronics, and medical industries for its excellent properties, such as low density and superior machinability [1–3]. PEEK has a few shortcomings, such as lower strength and lower hardness than most metal materials These make it difficult to meet the higher performance requirements of certain industries. The mechanical properties of PEEK can be further improved through modification, and fiber-reinforced modification is a commonly used method to modify PEEK. Carbon fiber has certain advantages, such as high strength, high modulus, small thermal expansion coefficient, and superior machinability [8,9]. Glass fiber is often preferred due to its high stiffness, elastic modulus, and good load-bearing capacity [10]. Both carbon and glass fibers are widely used for reinforcement purposes [11–13]. To expand the application fields of PEEK materials, it is crucial to study the material properties of the fiber-reinforced PEEK and analyze the influences of the change in the material properties on machinability
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
