OBRABOTKAMETALLOV MATERIAL SCIENCE Vol. 27 No. 1 2025 Characterisation of 5 % wt. PEEK Material in Acrylate Surface Morphology and Microstructural Features SEM images of 5 % wt. PEEK material in Acrylate, acquired at various magnifications, are presented in Figs. 8, a, b, and c. Analysis of the composite material using scanning electron microscopy was performed to investigate its surface morphology and microstructure. Magnifications ranging from 500× to 5,000× at an accelerating voltage of 20 kV were used. This range enabled a comprehensive evaluation of both general surface characteristics and microstructural features and provided valuable information regarding the effect of PEEK addition to the underlying polymer matrix (Fig. 8, a). a b c Fig. 8. SEM images for 5 wt. % PEEK in Acrylate material at different magnification: a – 500× magnification, 50 µm; b – 2,000× magnification, 10 µm; c – 5,000× magnification, 5 µm At 500× magnification, the SEM images exhibit a relatively smooth and homogenous surface with minimal deviations, comparable to those of the base material. However, the addition of PEEK resulted in slight changes in the surface texture. These changes are likely due to the dispersion of PEEK within the polymer matrix. Amore detailed investigation of the material’s microstructure was conducted at magnifications of 1,000× and 2,000×. The PEEK particles are visible as separate and relatively evenly distributed phases within the matrix. Their sizes are in the micron range, ranging from 1 to 2 μm. The observed distribution indicates effective PEEK incorporation into the matrix, contributing to the composite’s homogeneity. At a maximum magnification of 5,000×, images were obtained that demonstrate a more detailed view of the PEEK distribution. The PEEK particles are characterized by excellent dispersion and seamless integration into the polymer matrix without noticeable signs of aggregation. The addition of PEEK does not disrupt the predominantly amorphous structure of the material, which is important for maintaining its natural flexibility and toughness. Overall, the surface retains an amorphous appearance. EDS Analysis and elemental composition Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) examination of the 5 wt. % polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in Acrylate revealed that its elemental composition is predominantly carbon (C) and oxygen (O), consistent with the composition of the base Acrylate material (Fig. 9). Table 3 presents the data on the composition of 5 % wt. PEEK in Acrylate composites material. The mass percentage of carbon was approximately 70.75 %, while that of oxygen was 29.25 %. The atomic proportions of the elements are 76.32% for carbon and 23.68% for oxygen. These results indicate a similarity in the elemental composition between the base Acrylate material and the PEEK composite, suggesting a negligible influence of PEEK addition on the overall elemental composition. The slight increase in oxygen content is attributed to the presence of oxygen-rich functional groups in PEEK (such as ether and carbonyl groups), which are uniformly distributed within the polymeric matrix.
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