Influence of addition of liquid crystalline copolymer of poly(aryl ether ketone) on the properties of basalt fiber/poly(ether ether ketone) composites

Improving the processability of basalt fiber/poly(ether ether ketone) (BF/PEEK) composites without influencing their mechanical and thermal properties is imperative. A novel liquid-crystalline copolymer of poly(aryl ether ketone) containing fluorine and biphenyl structure (FPEDEKKLCP) was used to decrease the melt viscosity of BF/PEEK composites. The BF/PEEK/FPEDEKKLCP samples were characterized by screw torque measurements, tensile/flexural property evaluation, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that even a small amount of FPEDEKKLCP could decrease the melt viscosity of the composites during processing, improve the dispersion uniformity and orientation of BF in the PEEK matrix, and increase the flexural modulus, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the BF/PEEK composites. However, the thermal stability of the BF/PEEK composites was almost unaffected by the addition of FPEDEKKLCP.