Work

A multi-technique and multi-scale analysis of the thermal degradation of PEEK in laser heating

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: In the present work, the thermal degradation of laser-heated poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is studied as the heating duration increases. The damage morphology, chemical composition, crystallinity content, and mechanical properties are examined with optical microscopy, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, and continuous stiffness measurement nanoindentation. The applicability of those methods in detecting the thermal degradation of laser-heated PEEK and assessing the induced thermal damage is highlighted. Results show that short-time laser heating acts as an annealing process that improves the crystallinity and hardness on the affected surface of PEEK by up to 5.1% and 10.8% respectively. With a further increase in the heating duration, surface carbonisation occurs and a char layer is formed. Surface carbonisation is associated with the thermal limits of PEEK in laser heating decreasing by up to 50% its hardness and by 45% its indentation modulus. The char layer is found to act as a shielding mechanism that protects the bulk PEEK from the applied thermal load, resulting in mostly superficial thermally induced damage.

Source: Polymer Degradation and Stability

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110282

Authors: Dimitrios Gaitanelis, Angeliki Chanteli, Chris Worrall, Paul M. Weaver, Mihalis Kazilas

Institutions: Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, TWI (United Kingdom), University of Sheffield, University of Limerick, Brunel University of London

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,190

Funder: Science Foundation Ireland