Tribological and mechanical properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline PEEK/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings deposited on the plain carbon steel by electrostatic powder spray technique

► The presence of silica nanoparticles led to an improvement in the mechanical properties of PEEK coatings. ► The wear rates of both the semi-crystalline and amorphous nanocomposite coatings were lower than the pure ones. ► Dependency of the properties of the nanocomposite coatings on the crystalline structure of PEEK are less pronounced.