The influence of crystallinity on interfacial properties of carbon and SiC two-fiber/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites

The influence of the degree of crystallinity on interfacial properties in carbon and SiC two-fiber reinforced poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) composites was investigated by the two-fiber fragmentation test. This method provides a direct comparison of the same matrix conditions. The tensile strength of the PEEK matrix and the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon or SiC fiber/PEEK exhibited the maximum values at around 30% crystallinity, and then showed a decline. The tensile modulus increased continuously with an increase in the degree of crystallinity. Spherulite sizes in the PEEK matrix became larger as the cooling time from the crystallization temperature increased. Transcrystallinity of carbon fiber/PEEK was developed easily and more densely than with SiC fiber/PEEK. This might have occurred because the unit cell dimensions of the crystallite in the fiber axis direction on the carbon surface was more suitable for making nucleation sites. The IFSS of carbon fiber/PEEK was significantly higher than that of SiC fiber/PEEK because it formed transcrystallinity to IFSS more favorably.