Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles‐decorated SCF on mechanical and tribological properties of cenosphere/SCF/PEEK composites.

A silicon oxide (SiO2) nanoparticles‐decorated short carbon fiber (SCF) hybrid (SCF‐SiO2) was designed to improve the weak interfacial bonding between fibers and matrix. Nano‐SiO2 was grafted onto carbon fibers by introducing amino group and epoxy group on the surface of carbon fibers and SiO2, respectively. The chemical composition of SCF‐SiO2 was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and energy‐dispersive spectrometry, the microstructure of SCF‐SiO2 were investigated by scanning electron microscope, and then the hybrid filler was introduced into Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). Due to the strong interfacial interaction between filler and matrix, the mechanical and tribological properties of SCF‐SiO2/PEEK composites were significantly better than SCF/PEEK composites. In order to further improve the tribological properties of the composites, micrometer‐sized cenosphere (CS) particles were introduced into the aforementioned system to prepare multicomponent composites. The test results of friction and wear indicate that the CS/SCF‐SiO2/PEEK composites have the optimal tribological properties. Compared with pure PEEK, the friction coefficient of CS/SCF‐SiO2/PEEK composites under 200 N load decreases by 56.4% and the specific wear rate decreases by 87.4%. Meanwhile, the thermal decomposition temperature of CS/SCF‐SiO2/PEEK composites is increased by 40 °C compared to pure PEEK. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48749. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]