Work

Cryogenic cyclic aging effect on thermal, mechanical and tribological performance of PEEK-based materials

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The impact of cryogenic cyclic aging on the thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its composites was investigated to reveal the mechanisms and factors affecting the durability of high-performance materials under prolonged exposure to extreme environments. Cryogenic cyclic aging involved twelve cycles, each consisting of 6-day aging in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C) and 1-day in oven at 40 °C in normal ambient (relative humidity ∼30 %), mimicking operational conditions of cryogenic systems. Tribological tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk configuration with a stainless steel (SS 316L) ball counterface . Tests were performed at 25 °C in air and high vacuum (10⁻⁵ Pa). The thermal stability of the materials was slightly affected. Thermal stresses developed during aging led to polymer embrittlement . Fracture toughness decreased by approximately 22 % after cyclic aging. Abrasive wear increased significantly for unreinforced PEEK, while PEEK composites showed a rise in adhesive wear with prolonged aging. In air, the wear rate increase reached 510 %, whereas in vacuum, some compositions exhibited a wear rate reduction of up to 56 %.

Source: Wear

DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2024.205709

Authors: Maksim Nikonovich, Amilcar Ramalho, Nazanin Emami

Institutions: Luleå University of Technology, University of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Tribology and Wear Analysis

Subfield: Mechanics of Materials

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,520

Funders: Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions