Polyetheretherketone, /carbon fiber composites

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). 

Galvanic corrosion of polyacrylnitrile (PAN) and pitch-based short carbon fibers in polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites were studied by Gebhard et al. [40]. Galvanic corrosion of carbon-fiber compounds can occur in contact with a steel electrode. The effects ranged from initial breakdown and cracking, to complete dissolution. 

Dyson IN, Kinloch AJ, Okada A, The interlaminar failure behaviour of carbon-fiber polyetheretherketone composites. Composites, 25(3), 189-196, 1994. 

The major drawback of carbon-fiber thermoplastic composites is their low-temperature resistance.PH ] However, recently developed thermoplastic polymers have much higher temperature resistance and are being considered as matrices for continuous-fiber composites. These polymers include polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyphenyl sulfide (PPS). 1 1 PEEK in particular has excellent potential since it is less brittle than the epoxies and provides a tougher composite (see Table 9.5 below). 

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