Abstract
The thermal decomposition of blends of poly(aryl ether ether ketone), PEEK, with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), VECTRA, was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis under dynamic conditions. The activation energies were obtained using integral and differential methods. The thermal analysis of the blends show that thermal stability is clearly affected with respect to the unblended materials, and it was also observed that the degradation process is accelerated by blending. In the case of VECTRA, the LCP is destabilized at high PEEK contents. The degrading polymer blends, at various degrees of conversion, were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The degradation mechanisms were analysed from the changes in the vibrational spectra. Blending appears to modify only the rate of degradation of the component polymers, the mechanisms remaining unchanged.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
