The chemical compatibility of insert-molded bimaterial composites of polycarbonate and carbon fiber polyetheretherketone

Chemical compatibility of a bimaterial composite composed of polycarbonate (PC) and C fiber polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was examined. Series composite specimens were constructed by injecting C fiber PEEK into a mold containin g one half of a PC dogbone. Specimens were exposed for 2 weeks at room temp erature to various cleaning chemicals that are commonly used in semiconduct or fabrication facilities: deionized water, 0.1% aqueous Triton CL10 surfac tant, 0.1% aqueous Alfonic 610-3.5 surfactant, and isopropyl alcohol. To in crease the severity of the test, some samples were strained and/or notched before immersion. After exposure, specimens were tested in tension and resu lts were compared to their corresponding pre-exposure values. None of the c hemicals affected the strength of the unstrained, unnotched PC/C fiber PEEK composite. However, isopropyl alcohol and the surfactant solutions caused the strained specimens to fail (both unnotched and notched) during chemical exposure. The strains used during exposure were near the respective breaki ng points of the unnotched and notched composite. Consequently, only a slig ht reduction in strength from chemical exposure was needed to cause failure . (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.