Crystallisation behaviour and morphological studies of PEKK and carbon fibre/PEKK composites

Helena Perez Martin, Paul Mackenzie, Alex Baidak, Conchúr M. Ó Brádaigh, Dipa Roy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The increased interest in carbon fibre/poly(etherketoneketone) (CF/PEKK) as an option for high-performance applications calls for a thorough understanding of the composite's crystallisation behaviour, due to the essential role that crystallinity plays in performance. In this study, differential scanning calorimetry was used with a variety of thermal cycles to evaluate the effect of thermal history on crystallinity development in unreinforced PEKK and CF/PEKK. Different isothermal holding temperatures during cooling affected the ratio between primary and secondary crystallisation, and non-isothermal cooling cycles influenced the extent of crystallisation. The inclusion of carbon fibres increased the proportion of secondary crystallisation in the matrix and slowed down crystallisation kinetics. A Velisaris-Seferis model was used to model crystallisation kinetics for the isothermal data, and adapted Nakamura models were used for the non-isothermal data. Based on this work, optimum isothermal hold temperatures during cooling for CF/PEKK are estimated to lie in the range of 220-260°C.
Original languageEnglish
Article number106992
JournalComposites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume159
Early online date11 May 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
  • Thermoplastic resin
  • Microstructures
  • Thermal properties
  • CF/PEKK composites
  • Crystallinity

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