The effect of solvent uptake on the relaxation behaviour, morphology and mechanical properties of a poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(etherimide) blend

The effects of solvent uptake on the relaxation behaviour, morphology and mechanical properties of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), poly(etherimide) (PEI) and a 50/50 PEEK/PEI blend have been investigated. Amorphous films were immersed in acetone at 25°C, 35°C and 45°C until equilibrium uptake was achieved. The films were then examined by wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.), dynamic mechanical relaxation spectroscopy and mechanical testing. WAXS and d.s.c. revealed that the degree of solvent induced crystallinity in PEEK is constant with immersion temperature, whereas the degree of induced crystallinity in the 50/50 blend is strongly temperature dependent. The dynamic mechanical studies confirmed that a significant decrease in glass transition temperature results from the plasticizing effect of the solvent and that solvent and thermally crystallized samples have different relaxation characteristics. Mechanical property tests showed that the yield stress and tensile strength of the blend are dominated by PEEK and the degree of crystallinity, while the modulus is more sensitive to the extent of plasticization.