Effects of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) on the structure and performance of PEEK/CF composites

Carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone (PEEK/CF) composites feature diverse advantages and have been applied in various fields. However, the high melt viscosity of PEEK leads to their poor processing performance and affects their practical applications. Here a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) was introduced into a PEEK/CF system as a new strategy to address the aforementioned issues. Bearing aromatic rings on the main chains, LCP can strongly interact with PEEK by pi–pi interaction, which alters the crystallization behaviour and facilitates processing of PEEK/CF, eventually improving its mechanical performance. As a result, a high crystallinity (37.37%), a decreased equilibrium torque (8.902 Nm), and a high tensile strength (230.97 MPa) are realized with 5 wt% LCP. The current approach offers a new solution to simultaneously promote processing and mechanical performance of PEEK/CF and other polymer-based composites.