SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEGRADATION OF POLYMER-BASED COMPOSITES

The thermal stability of high-performance thermoplastic matrix composi tes is studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The study is focused on the degradation behavior, under different environments, of continuous carbon-fiber-reinforced composites with poly(ether-ether ketone) (PEEK ) matrix. The experimental results are analyzed by two different metho ds. In one method a phenomenological kinetic model is developed and co mpared with the degradation behavior measured in isothermal and consta nt heating conditions. In the second method, a simple correlation is p resented to describe the onset of the degradation at long times and un der normal service conditions. Both approaches give similar results an d confirm the good thermal stability of PEEK matrix/carbon fiber compo sites at high service temperatures.