The effects of UV irradiation to polyetheretherketone fibres – Characterization by different techniques

The effects of UV irradiation on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) fibres were investigated in this study. PEEK fibres were manufactured with a melt spinning system and then artificially aged with simulated solar UV light. Fibres were then characterized by mechanical tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PEEK, best known for its excellent thermal stability, suffered greatly from the effects of UV irradiation. The low UV stability manifested as embrittlement of the fibres in the mechanical tests, increased crosslinking rate in the rheological tests, formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups and changes in the nature of the carbon–hydrogen bonds in the FTIR, diminished thermal properties in TGA, and transverse cracks in the SEM photos. DSC was found to be an inaccurate technique for estimating the degradation level of PEEK fibres, whereas the carbonyl index measured by FTIR was found to be the most convenient technique.