Radiation degradation in the mechanical properties of Polyetheretherketone–alumina composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is extensively employed in corrosive and radiation environments. To improve the radiation tolerance of PEEK in the presence of high energetic radiation, PEEK was reinforced with micron sized alumina powder (5–25% by weight) and PEEK–alumina composite sheets fabricated were irradiated to 10 MGy. Mechanical properties of the irradiated composites revealed significant reduction in the degradation of PEEK with addition of alumina as the polymer reinforced with ceramic additives is expected to increase the interface area of the constituents in the system resulting in an improvement in the performance of the reinforced material.