Processing and properties of PEEK/glass fiber laminates: Effect of addition of single-walled carbon nanotubes

This work focuses on the effects of the introduction of unwrapped and wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on the quality (i.e. void content) and a range of different properties of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)/glass fiber (GF) laminates fabricated through hot-compression processing. The quality of the developed multiscale laminates was evaluated by non-destructive inspection techniques (ultrasonic C-scan and thermography), density measurements as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The in-plane and transverse thermal and electrical conductivities as well as Short-Beam-Shear (SBS) strength were measured at different locations within each composite panel. It was found that the addition of SWCNT can have a considerable influence on the porosity of manufactured laminates. In summary, while unwrapped SWCNT generally improved the thermal and electrical properties of the PEEK/GF laminates, composites incorporating compatibilizer exhibited the lowest porosity, the highest electrical conductivity and mechanical properties.