Laser Ablation Mechanism and Performance of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Poly Aryl Ether Ketone (PAEK) Composites

Abstract

The ablation mechanism and performance of carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced poly aryl ether ketone (PAEK) thermoplastic composites were studied in this paper. The results show that the ablation damaged area is controlled by the irradiation energy, while the mass loss rate is controlled by the irradiation power density. In the ablation center, the PAEK resin and CFs underwent decomposition and sublimation in an anaerobic environment. In the transition zone, the resin experienced decomposition and remelting in an aerobic environment, and massive char leaves were present in the cross section. In the heat-affected zone, only remelting of the resin was observed. The fusion and decomposition of the resin caused delamination and pores in the composites. Moreover, oxygen appeared crucial to the ablation morphology of CFs. In an aerobic environment, a regular cross section formed, while in an anaerobic environment, a cortex–core structure formed. The cortex–core structure of CF inside the ablation pit was caused by the inhomogeneity of fibers along the radial direction and the residual carbon layer generated by resin decomposition in an anoxic environment. The description of the ablation mechanism presented in this study broadens our understanding of damage evolution in thermoplastic composites subjected to high-energy CW laser irradiation.

A Poly(aryl Ether Sulfone) Containing Bis-phthalazinone with High Thermal Resistance

“…Due to high mechanical properties, outstanding thermal properties, remarkable chemical stability, and corrosion resistance, poly­(aryl ether)­s (PAEs) have a broad range of industrial applications, − such as microelectronics, − membrane separation, − energy, − biological, − and other fields. − Nonetheless, the T g and dielectric properties of PAEs should be enhanced to fulfill the ever-growing aspirations of the contemporary industry, such as thermal-resistant coatings and low-dielectric films.…”

Instantaneous Ablation Behavior of Laminated CFRP by High-Power Continuous-Wave Laser Irradiation in Supersonic Wind Tunnel

“…Under the combined action of laser irradiation and tangential airflow, complex ablation behaviors may occur, such as pyrolysis of the polymer matrix, oxidation and sublimation of residual char and fibers, and thermomechanical erosion. Several works have been reported on the laser ablation of polymer-based composites [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. There are few studies considering the influence of tangential airflow.…”

Gas Dynamics Processes above the Polymers Surface under Irradiation with Broadband High-Brightness Radiation in the Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectrum Region

“…Light induced ablation of polymers is characterized by a lot of approaches to describe this process (for example, [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]), but these models are based on studies of laser radiation exposure to the surface. There are also a significant number of studies about low-intensity UV/VUV radiation fluxes’ exposure on polymers [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ], which does not lead to noticeable ablation and is aimed at modifying or degrading their surfaces. In the case of PPT, the radiation impact on the surface is much more extreme (the photon flux density is about 10 24 photons·cm −2 ·s −1 ), which stimulates the appearance of ablation flows.…”