Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Central Lancashire
Mechanism of thermal decomposition of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) from a review of decomposition studies
PEEK is one of the most thermally stable, fire safe polymers available, anywhere. The onset of decomposition is above 550 °C! As a result, flammability had barely been considered, and no work had been published on its decomposition mechanism, leading to gas phase fuel production. Based on publications identifying decomposition products under different conditions, this study relates the complex transformations of the polymer to its gas phase products over different temperature ranges. This provides crucial insight into how over 50% of the polymer mass is converted into a carbonaceous char, creating a protective layer on its surface.