Fabrication and mechanical properties of a high-performance PEEK-PEI hybrid multilayered thermoplastic matrix composite reinforced with carbon fiber

This paper presents a method for manufacturing a hybrid matrix composite material reinforced with a woven carbon fiber that combines the properties of two thermoplastic polymers: PEEK (polyether-ether-ketone) and PEI (polyether-imide). The manufacturing process involves a multilayer architecture and a single hot -pressing consolidation step. Experimental tests - including uniaxial tensile tests, delamination tests in Mode I and impact tests at low velocities - were conducted to compare the resulting laminate with single matrix materials (PEEK/CF and PEI/CF).The improvements in strain to failure by 48 % in tensile tests with fiber orientation at +/- 45 degrees and in delamination force by 13 % in low velocity impact tests with respect to PEI/CF show that the heterogeneous matrix blend maintains the crystalline content and excellent elastoplastic response of PEEK while taking advantage of the affordability, lower processing temperature and toughness of PEI.