Investigation of the thermal decomposition and flammability of PEEK and its carbon and glass-fibre composites

Conventional thermally durable materials such as metals are being replaced with heat resistant engineering polymers and their composites in applications where burn-through resistance and structural integrity after exposure to fire are required. Poly aryl ether ether ketone (PEEK) is one such engineering polymer. Little work has been published with regards to the flammability of PEEK and its filled composites. The current study aims to assess the flammability and fire behaviour of PEEK and its composites using thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry, limiting oxygen index, a vertical flame resistance test, and fire (cone) calorimetry. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.