Abstract
Poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (PPESK) is a novel high performance thermoplastic with outstanding high temperature resistance and excellent mechanical properties and therefore, it is a very ideal candidate matrix for advanced composites. However, the high melt viscosity of PPESK makes it difficult to melt-process. In this paper, two well-known high performance thermoplastics, polyetherimide (PEI) and polyethersulfone (PES) were introduced into PPESK in order to reduce its melt viscosity and to improve the properties of its composites. The effect of the addition of PEI and PES on the resultant composites was studied. A series of unidirectional composites was made from PPESK and its PEI and PES blends as matrices and continuous glass fibre as reinforcement. The solution prepregging method and hot-press moulding method were used in the preparation of composites. The effects of the polymer blend matrices on the mechanical properties, interfacial adhesion and fracture mode were studied by three point bending, interlaminar shearing, porosity measurements and SEM microscopy. The results showed that the mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion increased and the porosity decreased after blending PEI or PES in the matrix. Addition of PEI and PES to PPESK also resulted in an obvious transition of fracture mode.