Influence of Cutting Conditions on Machinability Aspects of PEEK Composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a novel polymer material, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its exceptional mechanical and thermal properties. 'peek material hardness' PEEK composites, reinforced with short fibers such as carbon fibers (CF) or glass fibers (GF), have further enhanced the material's performance by improving its hardness, elastic modulus, and tensile strength.

The machinability of PEEK composites is a crucial aspect that needs to be investigated, particularly when using advanced cutting tools like polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools. The influence of cutting conditions on the machinability aspects of PEEK, PEEK CF 30, and PEEK GF 30 composites has been studied in this research. The results showed that the lapped surface roughness of PEEK material can be improved by fiber reinforcement. During the lapping process, the material removal methods mainly involved ductile deformation or desquamation of reinforcing fibers and ductile removal of the PEEK matrix.

The material removal rates of fiber-reinforced materials were found to be lower than those of pure PEEK due to the higher hardness of the fiber. The results also showed that the hardness and elastic modulus of PEEK can be improved with an increase in fiber mass fraction, while the tensile strength of CF/PEEK was found to be higher compared to GF/PEEK.

To further investigate the effects of fiber type and mass fraction on the material properties, tensile tests and nanoindentation experiments were conducted. The findings of this research highlight the importance of considering the influence of material properties on machinability when processing PEEK composites using advanced cutting tools like PCD tools.

In conclusion, the machinability aspects of PEEK composites are significantly influenced by their material properties, particularly hardness and strength. By introducing fiber reinforcements, the hardness and strength of PEEK can be further improved to meet the high-performance requirements of industries such as aerospace. Therefore, understanding the influence of cutting conditions on the machinability aspects of PEEK composites is crucial for optimal processing and performance in various applications.

Peek material hardness