Abstract
Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a thermoplastic polymer with excellent temperature stability and mechanical properties, is modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT). Then it is processed to fibres to study the influence of CNT on the mechanical properties, the electrical conductivity and the polymer structure. Pure PEEK is compounded with CNT in different concentrations, melt spun to fibres with different winding speeds, drawn in the solid state at different temperatures and heat treated. During processing of the nano composite fibres, the mechanical properties of unmodified PEEK can be maintained while an electrical conductivity of up to 1.50 S m-1 is achieved. Furthermore, structure analysis by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry reveals that crystallization is enhanced by CNT. The material can be processed to thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastics, making it favourable for lightning protection in sustainable energy applications like wind energy plants.
