Abstract: | Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a relatively new high temperature engineering thermoplastic. The stability of neat and fiberglass reinforced PEEK towards air, KClO4, and TiH1.65/KClO4 blend was studied by the surface sensitive technique of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and bulk technique of thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Both of these examinations revealed no oxidation in the presence of air or KClO4 at temperatures of 60 or 120°C. In addition, no reduction of PEEK was observed in the presence of a reducing agent such as TiH1.65. The TG results also showed no air oxidation between 120 and 500°C. |