EFFECTS OF SOLVENT INDUCED CRYSTALLINITY BY ACETONE IN POLY(ETHER ETHER KETONE)

Julie P. Martin, Jennifer Howard, Joel Lee and Dr. Ronald G. Kander
National Science Foundation and Technology Center:
High Performance Polymeric Adhesive and Composites, and
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia

ABSTRACT

In order to predict polymer durability during long term exposure to aggressive environments, it is necessary to study the effects of solvent-induced crystallinity. In this study, poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) powder was compression molded into amorphous films. One amorphous film was thermally crystallized. Both amorphous and thermally crystallized films were exposed to acetone at room temperature and 45 deg. C. Periodic absorption measurements were made. Wide angle x-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry data indicated that solvent-induced crystallinity was present in the samples exposed to acetone at both temperatures.