Glass-reinforced polyetheretherketone

GAIM gas-assisted injection molding GPEEK glass-reinforced polyetheretherketone... 

K2-30PG Glass-reinforced polyetheretherketone, PEEK Thermofil, Inc. 

Thermoplastic matrix composites are generally employed where high-volume and economic considerations exist such as in the automotive and decorative paneling industries. Thermoplastic resin-based composites range from high-priced polyimide, polyethersul-fone, and polyetheretherketone to the more affordable nylon, acetal, and polycarbonate resins. Practically all thermoplastics are available in glass-reinforced grades. 

Fig. 4.78 Fatigue strength under alternating tensile load (Tctai of pure and glass and carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone [12Els].

Fig. 6.9. Normalized fracture toughness, (Kc - AKQ)/K. of short glass fiber-thermoplastics injection molded composites as a function of reinforcing effectiveness parameter, ft (O) polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrix (K = 6.5 MPa m) (A) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix (K = 1.9 MPaym).

Engineering thermoplastics have also been used in preimpregnated constructions. The thermoplastic is thoroughly dispersed as a continuous phase in glass, other resins, carbon fibers (qv), or other reinforcement. Articles can be produced from these constructions using thermoforming techniques. For example, the aerospace industry uses polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in woven carbon-fiber tapes (26). Experimental uses of other composite constructions have been reported (27) (see also COMPOSITE MATERIALS, POLYMER-MATRIX). 

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) n An advanced polymer chain It has excellent temperature resistance among processable thermoplastics, with a melting temperature of 334°C, deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa of 160°C, and tensile yield strength of 91 MPa. Reinforcement with 30% glass fiber elevates the deflection temperature to about 300°C and almost doubles the yield strength. 

The most widely used and least expensive polymer resins are the polyesters and vinyl esters. These matrix materials are used primarily for glass fiber-reinforced composites. A large number of resin formulations provide a wide range of properties for these polymers. The epoxies are more expensive and, in addition to commercial applications, are also used extensively in PMCs for aerospace applications they have better mechanical properties and resistance to moisture than the polyesters and vinyl resins. For high-temperature applications, polyimide resins are employed their continuous-use, upper-temperature limit is approximately 230°C (450 F). Finally, high-temperature thermoplastic resins offer the potential to be used in future aerospace applications such materials include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), and polyetherimide (PEI). 

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