High‐performance and cost‐effective melt blended poly(ether ether ketone)/expanded graphite composites for mass production of antistatic materials

Mozaffar Mokhtarimotamenishirvan, E Archer, Noel Bloomfield, Eileen Harkin-Jones, AT McIlhagger

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)
82 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Abstract: In this study unfunctionalized expanded graphite (EG) was incorporated into poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) using twin‐screw extrusion and injection moulding to manufacture cost‐effective PEEK/EG composites for mass production of high‐performance antistatic materials. Direct current electrical conductivity, morphology, rheological and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. At an EG loading of 5 vol%, the electrical conductivity exhibited an abrupt increase to 1.45 × 10−5 S m−1 which was in the required range of electrical conductivity of antistatic materials. The frequency dependence of the storage modulus of the melt containing 2 vol% EG decreased significantly at low frequencies. Viscosity did not increase much with the addition of EG in comparison with other nanofillers such as carbon nanotubes. The crystallinity of PEEK increased to 41.11% from 35.87% upon addition of 3 vol% EG. EG improved the thermal stability of PEEK by an increase in the initiation temperature of its decomposition steps. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1137-1145
Number of pages9
JournalPolymer International
Volume70
Issue number8
Early online date26 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 26 Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (NW CAM) project is supported by the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The views and opinions in this document do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission or the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). If you would like further information about NW CAM please contact the lead partner, Catalyst, for details.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • PEEK
  • antistatic
  • cost-effective
  • expanded graphite
  • high-performance
  • cost‐effective
  • high‐performance
  • Research Articles
  • Research Article

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