Analysis of superior FCP property of recycled glass fiber-reinforced PEEK

Abstract

Influences of the recycling process on the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) property of glass fiber-reinforced PEEK were examined. In the present research the influence of the recycling process on the property of matrix resin was focused on. The main results were as follows: (1) It was noted that the FCP property of recycled PEEK/GF materials were as superior to that of virgin material. (2) The length of glass fibers in PEEK resin as not markedly reduced during the recycling process, due to the good fluidity of PEEK resin. (3) FCP curves on a da/dN-ΔK diagram for virgin and recycled PEEK/GF materials were expressed as one curved line on a da/dN-ΔK/E diagram. It was found that the elasticity modulus had been improved by repeated melting and crystallization during the recycling process.