Morphologies, mechanical properties and wear of poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) and its composites reinforced with mica

Full Paper: Poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) composites were developed usin g mica as a filler. Sulfonated poly(ether ketone ketone) (S-PEK), a possibl e interfacial modifier, was coated on the mica surface with ca. 50 nm thick ness, as observed by contact atomic force microscope (AFM). The morphologie s of these materials were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). I n comparison with PEKK, significantly improved mechanical properties were o btained for the composite materials. With increasing content of mica in the materials, tensile modulus of the materials increased and ultimate elongat ion decreased. The composites containing 30 wt.-% of mica exhibited a maxim um tensile strength of about 200 MPa. The composites filled with mica treat ed by S-PEKK displayed somewhat higher values of tensile strength and ultim ate elongation than those generated using pure mica. The glass transition b ehavior and thermal stability of PEKK were not affected by the composition of the materials. The amount of mica used in the composites showed some inf luence on the coefficient of friction and wearing rate of these materials. [GRAPHICS] SEM of cryogeniccaly fractured surfaces for PEKK/mica treated by S-PEKK (80 /20 wt.%) composites.