A comparative study of mechanical and tribological properties of poly(ether ether ketone) composites filled by micro- and nano-Ni and ZrO2 fillers

The poly(ether ether ketone) micro/nanocomposite reinforced with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane treated micro- and nano-sized nickel and zirconia (0.5, 1, and 3wt%) were prepared by melt mixing in a co-rotating twin screw extruder followed by test specimen fabrication in microinjection molding. The resulting nanocomposites with 3wt% Ni and ZrO2 nanoparticles exhibit the maximum improvement in tensile and flexural strength as well as the modulus with respect to neat poly(ether ether ketone). The lowest specific wear rate of 17.6x10(-4)mm(3)/N/m has been achieved with 3wt% nano-Ni-filled composite in comparison to neat poly(ether ether ketone)'s value 191.5x10(-4)mm(3)/N/m. The thermal stability of micro- and nano-particle reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) composites measured by thermogravimetric analysis found to be higher than the unfilled poly(ether ether ketone).