The effect of cooling rate on crystallization behavior and tensile properties of CF/PEEK composites

In this study, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were performed to measure the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) composites under different cooling rates. The characteristic parameters of crystallization were obtained, and the nonisothermal crystallization model was established. The crystallization temperature range of the material at different cooling rates was predicted by the model. The unidirectional laminates were fabricated at different cooling rates in the crystallization temperature range. The results showed that the crystallization temperature range shifted to a lower temperature with the increase of cooling rate, the established nonisothermal crystallization model was consistent with the DSC test results. It is feasible to shorten the cooling control range from the whole process to the crystallization range. The crystallinity and transverse tensile strength declined significantly with the increase of the cooling rate in the crystallization temperature range. The research results provided theoretical support for the selection of cooling conditions and temperature control range, which could be applied to the thermoforming process of semi-crystalline polymermatrixed composites to improve the manufacturing efficiency.