Abstract
Innovations in recycling, automated and out-of-autoclave processes have renewed significant interests in carbon fibre - polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) thermoplastic composites. The crystallinity and, consequently, fracture toughness of semi-crystalline thermoplastics is affected by the cooling rates during processing. Extensive review of published data indicates that in-situ consolidation deposition rates affect PEEK crystallisation. This paper investigates the influence of automated fibre placement (AFP) deposition rates from 76 to 124 mm/s on the crystallinity and mode I fracture toughness of Cytec PEEK polymer matrix with carbon Fibre (AS4/APC2) laminates. The experimental results showed a decrease in crystallinity when the material deposition rate was increased. However, this did not translate into an improvement in fracture toughness. The preliminary study showed an increase in fracture toughness from 76 to 100 mm/s deposition rates. The 124 mm/s samples had the lowest fracture toughness despite having the lowest crystallinity. The crystallinity was not the only driving mechanism in improving the fracture toughness performance and good consolidation is an important factor as well.
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