Fabrication of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyetheretherketone Composites With Improved Tribological Performance Through Powder Suspension Masterbatch Process

ABSTRACT The frictional and wear properties of short carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (SCF/PEEK) composites prepared via a newly‐developed powder suspension masterbatch process were investigated and compared with those fabricated through a conventional melt extrusion process. A viscoelastic half‐space contact numerical model was further developed to elucidate the rolling velocity effect on tribological behavior. The results revealed that the SCF/PEEK composites prepared by the powder suspension method exhibited significantly higher compressive performance and superior wear resistance compared to those prepared by the conventional melt extrusion method. Specifically, the 30 wt% SCF/PEEK composite prepared by the powder suspension method achieved a microhardness of 49.55 ± 2.80 HV (a 107.2% improvement over neat PEEK) and a compressive modulus of 21.56 ± 2.68 GPa. Owing to the longer retained fiber length and superior interfacial adhesion, the SCF/PEEK composites prepared by the powder suspension method minimized viscoelastic contact deformation under rolling conditions, leading to a lower friction coefficient and stabilized tribological performance at elevated rolling velocities.