The chemical compatibility of insert-molded bimaterial composites of polycarbonate and carbon fiber polyetheretherketone

Abstract

Chemical compatibility of a bimaterial composite composed of polycarbonate (PC) and C fiber polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was examined. Series composite specimens were constructed by injecting C fiber PEEK into a mold containing one half of a PC dogbone. Specimens were exposed for 2 weeks at room temperature to various cleaning chemicals that are commonly used in semiconductor fabrication facilities: deionized water, 0.1% aqueous Triton CL10 surfactant, 0.1% aqueous Alfonic 610‐3.5 surfactant, and isopropyl alcohol. To increase the severity of the test, some samples were strained and/or notched before immersion. After exposure, specimens were tested in tension and results were compared to their corresponding pre‐exposure values. None of the chemicals affected the strength of the unstrained, unnotched PC/C fiber PEEK composite. However, isopropyl alcohol and the surfactant solutions caused the strained specimens to fail (both unnotched and notched) during chemical exposure. The strains used during exposure were near the respective breaking points of the unnotched and notched composite. Consequently, only a slight reduction in strength from chemical exposure was needed to cause failure. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 173–178, 2000