A comparative study of mechanical and tribological properties of poly(ether ether ketone) composites filled by micro- and nano-Ni and ZrO 2 fillers

Abstract

The poly(ether ether ketone) micro/nanocomposite reinforced with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane treated micro- and nano-sized nickel and zirconia (0.5, 1, and 3 wt%) were prepared by melt mixing in a co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by test specimen fabrication in microinjection molding. The resulting nanocomposites with 3 wt% Ni and ZrO₂ nanoparticles exhibit the maximum improvement in tensile and flexural strength as well as the modulus with respect to neat poly(ether ether ketone). The lowest specific wear rate of 17.6 × 10⁻⁴mm³/N/m has been achieved with 3 wt% nano-Ni-filled composite in comparison to neat poly(ether ether ketone)’s value 191.5 × 10⁻⁴mm³/N/m. The thermal stability of micro- and nano-particle reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) composites measured by thermogravimetric analysis found to be higher than the unfilled poly(ether ether ketone).