KH560 modified nano silica with low dosage enhances the heat resistance and dielectric properties of PEEK

Research Overview

A study published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science used silane coupling agent KH560 to modify the surface of nano silica (nano-SiO2), and then prepared a series of composite materials with filler content of 0-7 phr by melt blending with polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The study focused on investigating the effects of modified fillers on the thermal properties, crystallization behavior, dielectric properties, and surface properties of PEEK.

Key data and performance

The research results show that modified silica can exhibit significant heterogeneous nucleation at low addition levels.

. When the filler content is 3 phr, the melting temperature of the composite material rises to 348.5 ° C, and the melting enthalpy reaches the maximum value of 80.33 J g − 1. The corrected crystallinity is equivalent to that of pure PEEK, and the filler dispersion is the most uniform. In terms of dielectric properties, the dielectric breakdown strength of the composite material nearly doubled at a dosage of 5 phr, reaching approximately 24.7 kV mm-1. In addition, the water contact angle of the material has decreased from 81.7 ° of pure PEEK to 70.6 ° -72.8 °, and the thermal conductivity has also been significantly improved. Compared with common high addition schemes in literature, this study achieved multiple improvements in thermal performance, crystallization, dielectric and surface properties at a lower filler content of only 3-5 phr.

Significance for the polymer additive industry

This study provides a low addition and multi performance synergistic improvement approach for the application of reinforcing fillers in special engineering plastics.

. KH560 surface modification improves the interfacial compatibility between nano silica and PEEK matrix, allowing the filler to be uniformly dispersed at lower contents and effectively exert nucleation and reinforcement effects. This has reference value for cost control and reducing processing and mechanical losses caused by high filling. From the perspective of additive design, the surface treatment of inorganic fillers by silane coupling agents is a key factor in determining dispersion and interfacial properties. This approach is consistent with the technical logic of surface modification of white carbon black and reinforcement of filler dispersion optimization in the rubber industry. In tire and rubber formulations, the dispersion state of reinforcing fillers such as white carbon black directly affects the mechanical properties, rolling resistance, and heat aging resistance of vulcanized rubber, while the matching of anti-aging agents, antioxidants, and vulcanization systems also depends on the stable control of the filler interface. The low addition modification strategy demonstrated in this study can provide methodological references for optimizing the surface treatment process and formulation of reinforcing fillers. It should be pointed out that the research object is PEEK thermoplastic engineering plastic, and its processing method differs from rubber mixing and vulcanization processes. The relevant conclusions cannot be directly applied to tire rubber formulations. However, its experimental design on silane coupling agent modification, filler dispersion, and low load multi performance improvement still has reference significance for the research on filler surface treatment in the field of rubber additives.

Information source:Study on Thermal Properties and Crystallization Behavior of Silica‐Modified Polyetheretherketone Composites， Organized by Herun Chemical.