Tensile properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone composites modified by microfillers

The paper presents the results on tensile mechanical characteristics of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone composites modified by micro fillers: micro carbon fibers with the length of 100 and 200 µm (0.5 wt % for both), micro powders of copper and nickel (2 wt %). The reinforcements were added between the prepreg plies by spraying their alcohol solution during the layup procedure. During tension, all specimens demonstrate uniform elastic deformation and sudden brittle fracture. The addition of copper and nickel powder leads to the increase of strength by 2.6 and 5.4%. Strain at break and elastic modulus were not clearly affected. It can be also concluded that both types of milled carbon fibers with 0.5 wt % concentration are inefficient additives.