Compaction Study of Conductive Polyether-Etherketone (PEEK) and Nickel Powder Composites.
Abstract
Considerable interest has developed in utilizing thermoplastic matrices in composites for engineering applications, particularly in the aerospace industry. Much of this interest has been directed toward the development of high performance thermoplastic composites with continuous fiber reinforcements. Polyether-etherketone (PEEK) is a viable candidate for many of these applications. This study deals with the cold compaction of polyether-etherketone (PEEK) and nickel powder blends. Four different types of PEEK powders were utilized for this investigation. These PEEK powders included fine and coarse size powders of a low viscosity grade (150PF and 150P) and similar powders of a high viscosity grade (450PF and 450P). Each of the four different PEEK powders were blended with about 10 volume percent of nickel powder (Novamet) using a dry mixing technique. These PEEK/nickel powder blends were then successfully compacted at room temperature. Green strengths as high as 39.5 MPa and 26.3 MPa were measured on nickel filled 150 grade and 450 grade compacts, respectively. These higher strength values of the nickel filled compacts compared to their respective unfilled ones were attributed to a higher degree of mechanical interlocking and plastic deformation, which was induced in the polymer particles during compaction by the hard nickel filler. These composites also exhibited lower viscoelastic recoveries than their respective unfilled compacts. Electrical resistivities as low as 0.06 ohm-cm were achieved by compacting 150p/nickel powder blends. This resistivity value agreed well with the calculated value predicted from the literature. Keywords: Electrically conductive composites, Segregated network. (aw)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198127
Entities
People
- I. L. Kamel
- J. J. Reilly
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster