Isothermal crystallization and melting behavior of short carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) composites

Films of short carbon fiber reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composite were formed by compression molding pellets for 10 min at 380 °C under air. A heating stage was used to prepare isothermally treated PEEK composites before DSC scan. The dependence of degree of crystallinity on the heating rate (10–80 °C/min) was investigated for specimens crystallized at different temperatures. The results indicated that 50 °C/min was an optimum heating rate to suppress the reorganization and to avoid the superheating of high crystallinity specimens with the sample weight of 10 mg. The upper peak temperature of double-melting peaks continued to increase with crystallization temperature. This peak temperature was related to the transition from regime II to III. The phenomenon of lower crystallinity and higher melting temperature supports the interpretation that the upper melting peak corresponded to crystals growing during the earlier stage of isothermal crystallization.     

Nonisothermal crystallization behavior of poly(aryl ether ether ketone)

A study has been made of the crystallization behavior of poly(aryl ether ether ketone), PEEK, under nonisothermal conditions. A differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to monitor the energetics of the crystallization process from the melt. For nonisothermal studies, the melt was crystallized by cooling at rates from 1°C/min to 10°C/min. A kinetic analysis based on the recently proposed model for nonisothermal crystallization kinetics to remedy the drawback of the Ozawa equation was applied. The Avrami exponent for the nonisothermal crystallization process was strikingly different from that of the isothermal process, which indicates different crystallization behaviors. The results agree with the morphological observation reported in the literature. This study shows that correct interpretation of the Avrami exponent provides valuable information about the crystal structure and its morphology.     

Strain-induced crystallization behavior of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

Strain-induced crystallization of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) was studied by the use of a parallel plate rheometer. The experimental variables included preheating time, crystallization temperature, and shear rate. The crystallization kinetics were characterized by means of an induction time defined as the time elapsed from the start of shearing to the onset of crystallization. The experimental results showed that the induction time for strain-induced crystallization of PEEK was significantly shorter than that for crystallization under quiescent condition, and that strain-induced crystallization was much less temperature dependent than quiescent crystallization. The activation energy for strain-induced crystallization was found to be 0.035kcal/mole, which was considerably smaller than the reported activation energy for quiescent crystallization. Photomicrographs of the sheared specimens indicated that PEEK crystallites orient along the flow direction.     

Physical aging and crystallization of amorphous poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)

Physical aging of poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone) (PEEKK) was investigated. Heat flow responses were measured after annealing the amorphous samples that were obtained by quenching the melt into an ice-water bath at just below the glass transition temperature. Isothermal cold crystallization of the aged samples was carried out. The Avrami equation was used to determine the kinetic parameters, and the Avrami constant n is about 2. An Arrhenius form was used to evaluate the relaxation activation energy of physical aging and the transport activation energy of isothermal crystallization. The activation energy of physical aging was similar in magnitude to that observed for the temperature dependence of crystallization under conditions of transportation control. Results obtained were interpreted as purely kinetic effects associated with the glass formation process. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 907–912, 1998     

Bulk crystallization of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

Concurrent measurements of transmitted polarized light intensity and recording of the phenomenon of crystallization through polarized optical microscopy have resolved some of the controversies on the bulk crystallization behavior of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) (PEEK). The process of bulk crystallization was studied through the separation of the nucleation and growth steps. Avrami plots have shown three characteristic ranges. It was observed that a first slope at low crystallization times is associated with massive heterogeneous nucleation and/or local-order-promoted primary nucleation of spherulitic crystals. A second gradual decrement in intensity follows, showing a logarithmic tendency. It represents a mixture of at least three parallel mechanisms. These are associated with the end of the process of crystallization of the primary spherulites and in large proportion the nucleation and growth, at lower rates, of sporadically nucleated spherulites. In addition, there is some contribution from secondary crystallization to the transmitted light emerging. The whole group of nucleated spherulites continue growing up to the point of impingement, which loosely marks the beginning of the third region. This last region with lower slope than the first one and an exponential tendency reflects secondary crystallization at long times. The general characteristics of the processes of nucleation and growth are discussed.     

Nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ketone ether ketone ketone)

Nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ketone ether ketone ketone) (PEKEKK) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Avrami equation modified by Jeziorny could only describe the primary stage of nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PEKEKK. Also, the Ozawa equation could not describe its nonisothermal crystallization behavior. A convenient and reasonable kinetic approach was used to describe the nonisothermal crystallization behavior. The crystallization activation energy were estimated to be −264 and 370 KJ/mol for nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization by the Kissinger method. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2865–2871, 2000     

Phase and crystallization behavior of solution-blended poly(ether ether ketone) and poly(ether imide)

Results on solution-blended poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and poly(ether imide) (PEI) blends are reported. Dichloroacetic acid was used as the cosolvent for blending. PEEK and PEI are confirmed to be miscible in the melt. The glass transition, T_g, behavior obeys the simple Fox equation or the Gordon-Taylor equation with the adjustable coefficient k = 0.86. This agrees with prior data on melt-blended PEEK/PEI blends. The T_g width of the amorphous PEEK/PEI blends was found to be broader than that of the pure components. The maximum broadening is about 10°C. The specific volume of the amorphous PEEK/PEI blends shows a slight negative deviation from linearity, indicating favorable interaction between PEEK and PEI. The spherulitic growth and resultant blend morphology at 270°C were studied by a cross-polarized optical microscope. The radial growth rate of PEEK spherulites formed from the miscible melt at 270°C decreases from 3.04 μm/min for PEEK/PEI 90/10 blend to 0.77 μm/min for PEEK/PEI 70/30 blend. The decrease in crystalization rate of PEEK from PEEK/PEI blends is attributable to the increase in blend T_g. A linear growth was observed for PEEK spherulites formed from miscible melt at 270°C in the early growth stage. The spherulitic growth deviated from linearity in the late stage of growth. PEEK spherulites formed from the miscible PEEK/PEI melt at 270°C are essentially volume-filling. The branches of the spherulites become more clear for PEEK spherulites formed from the blend than that formed from pure PEEK melt.     

Nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)

Analysis of the nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone) (PEEKK) was performed by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Avrami equation modified by Jeziorny could describe only the primary stage of nonisothermal crystallization of PEEKK. And, the Ozawa analysis, when applied to this polymer system, failed to describe its nonisothermal crystallization behavior. A new and convenient approach for the nonisothermal crystallization was proposed by combining the Avrami equation with the Ozawa equation. By evaluating the kinetic parameters in this approach, the crystallization behavior of PEEKK was analyzed. According to the Kissinger method, the activation energies were determined to be 189 and 328 kJ/mol for nonisothermal melt and cold crystallization, respectively.     

聚醚醚酮纤维的发展现状与应用

综述了国内外聚醚醚酮(PEEK)纤维的研究发展现状;分析了制约我国PEEK纤维发展的原因;介绍了PEEK树脂的流变性能、纺丝技术;阐述了PEEK纤维的结构、物理化学性能及应用领域;提出我国应加大PEEK原料及其纤维的研发,实现PEEK纤维国产化。     

Preparation and properties of poly(ether ether ketone) composites reinforced by modified wollastonite grafting with silaneterminated poly(ether ether ketone) oligomers

Silane-terminated poly(ether ether ketone) oligomers were synthesized and grafted onto wollastonite (W) particles. The prepared grafted-wollastonite particles (g-W) were then incorporated into PEEK matrix via melt processing. Properties of the PEEK composites were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), universal tester and rheometer. The researchers found the mechanical properties of the PEEK/g-W composites were markedly enhanced, complex viscosity of the PEEK/g-W composites increased, and both the peak crystallization temperature (T _c ) and crystalline fraction (χ _c ) of the PEEK composites with g-W were significant higher compared with those of the PEEK composites with W. It is our belief that these results are due to the strong interaction between the grafted-wollastonite particles and the PEEK matrix.     

Hollow fiber microfiltration membranes from poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)

A procedure for obtaining high performance large internal diameter (ID; >1 mm) hollow fiber microfiltration membranes from poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is presented. A simple mixture of isomers of diphenylphthalate is a good solvent for employing the thermal‐phase inversion process to obtain PEEK membranes. Obtaining large ID hollow fibers with substantial transmembrane flux requires sufficient melt strength during spinning to prevent excessive draw of the extruding fiber. The use of a second leachable polymer to the blend satisfies the conditions, and polysulphone (PS) is found to provide superior membranes relative to either poly(etherimide) (PEI) or poly(ether sulphone) (PES) as a second polymer. PEEK membranes obtained by this process yield better chemical resistance to a concentrated warm surfactant/oil solution. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 175–181, 1999     

Crystallinity of isothermally and nonisothermally crystallized poly(ether ether ketone) composites

PEEK/carbon fiber composites were prepared by a modified diaphragm forming machine under vacuum. The study of the degree of crystallinity versus the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) heating rate indicated that 50°C/min was an optimal heating rate to suppress the reorganization of the specimens crystallized between 315°C and 255°C and to avoid superheating the specimens. A high volume of fibers constrained the spherulitic growth by an impingement mechanism, which depressed the crystallization rate and reduced the crystallinity. Thus the crystallization was still in process even after 240 min annealing at 300°C. The effect of the cooling rate on the degree of crystallinity was simulated and investigated in DSC at a heating rate of 50°C/min. The results indicated that the cooling rates ranging from 1°C/min to 100°C/min could be divided into five regions that were associated with a high volume of fiber and the crystallization regime. A Time-Temperature-Transformation diagram superposed on the Continuous-Cooling-Transformation curves allows us to predict the amount of crystallization in different regimes. The data points for the DSC method deviated from the prediction at the cooling rates above 60°C/min because of the recrystallization during DSC heating scans.     

Chemical resistance of carbon fiber-reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) and poly(phenylene sulfide) composites

Studies have been conducted to investigate the aircraft fluid and chemical solvent resistance of the carbon fiber-reinforced poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites. The solvents and aircraft fluids utilized in this work include hydraulic fluid, paint stripper, JP-4 jet fuel, methyl ethyl ketone, and methylene chloride. The weight gain of the composites as a function of time is measured. Tensile and flexural strength, thermal behavior, and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites are examined. The alteration of crystallinity change of the composites is investigated by X-ray diffraction. It is found that paint stripper degraded the mechanical properties of the composites significantly. Furthermore, crystallization enhancement of the low crystallinity composites in the presence of solvents and aircraft fluids is also observed.     

Crystallization behavior of poly(ether ether ketone ketone)

The melting behavior of semicrystalline poly(ether ether ketone ketone) (PEEKK) has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). When PEEKK is annealed from the amorphous state, it usually shows two melting peaks. The upper melting peaks arise first, and the lower melting peaks are developed later. The upper melting peaks shown in the DSC thermogram are the combination (addition) of three parts: initial crystal formed before scanning; reorganization; and melting-recrystallization of lower melting peaks in the DSC scanning period. In the study of isothermal crystallization kinetics, the Avrami equation was used to analyze the primary process of the isothermal crystallization; the Avrami constant, n, is about 2 for PEEKK from the melt and 1.5 for PEEKK from the glass state. According to the Lauritzen-Hoffman equation, the kinetic parameter of PEEKK from the melt is 851.5 K; the crystallization kinetic parameter of PEEKK is higher than that of PEEK, and suggests the crystallizability of PEEKK is less than that of PEEK. The study of crystallization on PEEKK under nonisothermal conditions is also reported for cooling rates from 2.5°C/min to 40°C/min, and the nonisothermal condition was studied by Mandelkern analysis. The results show the nonisothermal crystallization is different from the isothermal crystallization. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

聚芳醚砜酮纤维的热性能

采用DSC、TG测定了含联苯结构聚芳醚砜酮 (PPESK)纤维的热性能 ,结果表明 ,纤维的玻璃化温度随砜酮比的增大而提高 ,纤维的起始分解温度大于 463℃。当砜酮比为 15 / 85 ,5 0 / 5 0 ,75 / 2 5时 ,纤维的玻璃化温度分别为 2 5 7.62 ,2 78.64 ,2 79.71℃ ;热分解活化能分别为 15 0 .8,2 19.9,195 .5kJ/mol;热分解反应级数分别为 1,1.76,1级     

Fine poly(ether ether ketone) powders

The physical form of polymers is often important for carrying out subsequent processing operations. For example, fine powders are desirable for molding and sintering compounds because they consolidate to produce void free components. The objective of this work is to prepare fine polymeric particulates suitable for processing into fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. Micron size particles of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) were prepared by rapidly quenching solutions of these materials. PEEK pellets were dissolved at temperatures near the PEEK melting point in a mixture of terphenyls and quaterphenyls; then the solution was quenched to a temperature between the T_g and T_m (≈ 225°C) by adding a room temperature eutectic mixture of diphenyl ether and biphenyl. A supersaturated, metastable solution of PEEK resulted, causing rapid nucleation. Fine PEEK particles rapidly crystallized from this solution. The average particle size was measured using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and by light scattering of aqueous suspensions which had been fractionated by centrifugation. The average particle diameter was about 0.6 μm. Three dimensional photomicrographs obtained via atomic force microscopy showed some aggregates in the suspensions. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1571–1578, 1997     

The absorption behavior and crystallization of poly(aryl ether ketone) films

The absorption and subsequent desorption behaviors of amorphous polymer films of PEEK poly(ether ether ketone), PEEKK poly(ether ether ketone ketone), and PEKK poly(ether ketone ketone) in solvent of 1,2-dichloroethane (C₂H₄Cl₂) are investigated and compared. The equilibrium absorption weight (M_∞) of these polymers is related to their molecular ketone content or molecular chain rigidity and also to the experimental conditions. Especially, at a certain temperature, the molecular chains in the solvent can be polarized, which leads to producing greater M_∞ for polymer films; for example, at 60°C, M_∞ = 46% for PEEK and M_∞ = 65% for PEKK. The pseudodiffusion coefficients for PEEK, PEEKK, and PEKK all surpass the 6.0 × 10⁻¹² m² s⁻¹. The polymer's molecular polarization has been proved in concentrated sulfur acid. Results also show that amorphous resin's films become white and creeped in dichloroethane, which is more serious when metaphenyl links are introduced into PEEKK or PEKK molecular main chains. The residual solvent of 1% or so often exists in the films, even though a long desorption time (over 100 h) has been proceeded. Absorption has induced crystallization of amorphous polymer films, but this crystallization process is slightly different from that of the films crystallized from both the glassy state and the melting state in the solvent, which makes the amorphous interlayers grow progressively and more condensely; thus, the crystallized films will have higher T_g's than these crystallized under annealing condition. The morphology results have shown that the solvent-crystallized films are less toughened than the amorphous ones because of the intermediate layer between the induced crystallized area and the amorphous area in the core. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:2065–2075, 1998     

Crystallization phenomena in the injection molding of poly ether ether ketone and its influence on mechanical properties

A basic experimental investigation of structure development in the injection molding of poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) is presented. It is shown that, dependent upon processing conditions, especially mold temperature, PEEK may be injection molded to form glassy or crystalline parts or parts consisting of intermediate structures such as a glassy surface and one with an internal crystalline link. In general, cold molds produce glassy parts and hot molds crystalline parts. This behavior is carefully characterized using optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide angle X-ray diffraction techniques. The mechanical properties of these injection molded parts is characterized as a function of the crystalline and glassy contents and types of structural gradients developed in the parts.     

Study on poly(ether ether ketone)/organically modified montmorillonite composites

Abstract

Novel poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) composites containing 0–10 wt-% fractions of OMMT were prepared by melting blending method and the microstructure, thermal and mechanical properties were investigated using different characterisation techniques. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the OMMT was well dispersed with microscale in the PEEK matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that the glass transition temperature T _g and melt temperature T _m of PEEK/OMMT composites (POMCs) were hardly affected by the addition of OMMT, while the crystal temperature T _c decreased when the amount of OMMT excessed 1 wt-%. The data of thermogravimetric analysis exhibited that the thermal stability of POMCs in higher temperature region was better than that of pure PEEK. The results of mechanical properties test revealed that modulus and strength of POMCs increased with the content of OMMT, whereas the elongation at break and impact strength of POMCs decreased.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel copolymers of poly(ether ketone ketone) and poly(ether ketone sulfone imide)

A new monomer containing sulfone and imide linkages, bis{4-[4-(p-phenoxyphenylsulfonylphenoxy)benzoyl]-1,2-benzenedioyl}-N,N,N′,N′-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (BPSPBDADPE), was prepared by the Friedel–Crafts reaction of bis(4-chloroformyl-1,2-benzenedioyl)-N,N,N′,N′-4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether with 4,4′-diphenoxydiphenyl sulfone. Novel copolymers of poly(ether ketone ketone) and poly(ether ketone sulfone imide) were synthesized by electrophilic Friedel–Crafts solution copolycondensation of terephthaloyl chloride with a mixture of DPE and BPSPBDADPE. The polymers were characterized by different physico-chemical techniques. The polymers with 10–25?mol% BPSPBDADPE are semicrystalline and had increased T _gs over commercially available PEEK and PEKK (70/30) due to the incorporation of sulfone and imide linkages in the main chains. The polymer IV with 25?mol% BPSPBDADPE had not only high T _g of 194?°C but also moderate T _m of 338?°C, having good potential for melt processing and exhibited high thermal stability and good resistance to common organic solvents.