Carbon fiber reinforcing thermoplastic-PEEK composite laminates were extracted from fiber-metal laminates (FML) designed to structural applications in high performance aircrafts, and re-processed according three different thermal routes than that originally established. The four resulting PEEK/C laminates were then extensively characterized by thermal and thermo-mechanical techniques. It has been concluded that the original processing route of the FML gave rise to the PEEK/C composite exhibiting maximum mechanical performance in terms of elastic modulus, as well as presenting outstanding thermal/structural stability within the temperature range predicted for the material under in-service conditions.
Aeronautical material; Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer; PEEK/C composite; Thermal analysis
