Study on preparation process and seawater corrosion resisting properties of chopped CF/PEEK composites

Abstract

CF/PEEK composite material is widely used in marine engineering construction due to its characteristics of lightweight, high strength, corrosion resistance, and aging resistance, and it will inevitably produce side materials and wastes in the forming process. Therefore, the research on CF/PEEK recycling is of great significance. Due to the characteristics of PEEK’s high melting point and high viscosity of the solution, it is difficult to recycle and reuse such materials. In this paper, a certain amount of PEEK resin powder is added to improve the hot pressing technology of the chopped prepreg. Through a simulated seawater corrosion experiment, the influence of simulated seawater corrosion on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite materials is studied. Combined with the principal component analysis method, the corrosion resistance of the chopped CF /PEEK composite was evaluated comprehensively, which provided a reference for the recycling of thermoplastic prepreg and thermoplastic composite products. The results show that the surface quality and mechanical properties of the composites with resin powder are obviously improved. The resin matrix on the surface of the sample was subjected to salt corrosion by chloride ions in a simulated seawater solution to form local corrosion, resulting in pores, cracks, and other defects. The longer the corrosion time of simulated seawater is, the more serious the surface damage of the composite material is, and the more obviously the mechanical property declines. Principal component analysis showed that the resin content had little effect on the seawater corrosion resistance of chopped CF/PEEK composite.