Influence of Particle Properties on the Room Temperature Compaction of Polyether-Etherketone (PEEK) Powders

摘要

High temperature thermoplastics like polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE), Upjohn polyimide 2080 (PI), poly-phenylene sulfide (PPS) and polyether-etherketone (PEEK) are relatively difficult to process by the conventional melt processing techniques. An alternative processing technique is direct powder compaction and preform sintering. This approach eliminates the pelletizing step, reduces the need for recrystallization via annealing and is accommodating to the inclusion of hard fillers. This study deals with the characterization and cold compaction of polyether-etherketone (PEEK) powders. Four different types of PEEK powders were characterized for density, crystallinity, particle size, particle size distribution and particle morphology. Fine and coarse size powders of a low viscosity grade (150PF and 150P) and similar powders of a high viscosity grade (450PF and 450P) were processed. Compaction was successful at room temperature using the 150 grade powders but not with the 450 grade powders. Compressibility curves were obtained at room temperature for the 150 grade powders and their post-compaction viscoelastic recoveries were measured. (aw)