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8th Edition of

International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering

March 10-12, 2025 | Rome, Italy

Materials 2025

Evaluation of scratch resistance of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) nanocomposite coatings reinforced with Ceria – effect of composition and UV-exposure

Speaker at International Conference on Materials Science and Engineering 2025 - Amal Ameen Seenath
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia
Title : Evaluation of scratch resistance of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) nanocomposite coatings reinforced with Ceria – effect of composition and UV-exposure

Abstract:

Polymer coatings play a crucial role in tribology and wear applications by reducing friction and wear between surfaces in contact. The ability of advanced polymers to minimize wear and friction has drawn interest from several sectors. These polymers have a high load-bearing capacity and can be used in coating with thicknesses in the tens of microns. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is one such polymer with exceptional mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties. However, PEEK, like many polymers, faces degradation issues when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation over time. The exposure can lead to photodegradation, affecting its surface properties and mechanical integrity. In industries, components are frequently exposed to environmental factors like UV radiation, heat, and mechanical stress. Polymer nanocomposite coatings are highly effective in reducing mechanical stresses however not all reinforcements will provide resistance against UV and prolonged exposure to outdoor environments will result in degrading the polymer’s molecular structure, leading to photooxidation, and a significant loss of mechanical integrity.

Ceria/cerium dioxide (CeO2) has emerged as a promising additive for improving the UV resistance of materials. Its remarkable ability to absorb UV radiation and prevent the breakdown of polymer structures has opened new avenues for enhancing the durability of polymers. As a result, this study evaluates the scratch resistance and UV durability of Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) nanocomposite coatings reinforced with cerium dioxide (CeO?) nanoparticles. Using electrostatic spray deposition, PEEK coatings with varying ceria loadings (0.5, 1.5, and 3 wt%) were uniformly deposited on mild steel substrates, achieving an approximate thickness of 100 ± 5 µm. Surface and mechanical properties were analyzed via water contact angle (WCA) measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scratch testing. Notably, the PEEK/1.5 wt% ceria coating exhibited optimal performance, showing enhanced hydrophobicity with a WCA of 91.4° and demonstrating superior scratch resistance, enduring loads up to 30 N without failure. In contrast, pristine PEEK failed at 14 N, and coatings with 0.5 wt% and 3 wt% ceria failed at 18 N and 24 N, respectively. Upon UV exposure for 500 hours, the optimized PEEK/1.5 wt% ceria coating demonstrated excellent retention of hydrophobicity (WCA of 43.8°), compared to a significant drop in pristine PEEK’s WCA from 80.6° to 28.4°. FTIR analysis confirmed that the ceria-reinforced PEEK coating retained its chemical integrity post-UV exposure, minimizing photodegradation observed in the unreinforced PEEK.

Furthermore, scratch testing of UV-exposed samples revealed that pristine PEEK failed at 12 N, while the PEEK/1.5 wt% ceria coating maintained its durability under a 30 N load, underscoring the enhanced UV resilience provided by ceria. These findings underscore the efficacy of ceria as a reinforcing agent in PEEK coatings, significantly enhancing both mechanical durability and UV resistance. The PEEK/1.5 wt% ceria coating, identified as the optimized formulation, offers a promising solution for applications demanding high scratch resistance and prolonged UV stability.

Biography:

Amal Ameen Seenath, PhD student at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) from 2022. He completed his masters in December 2024 working extensively in the field of tribology under the supervision of Dr. M. Abdul Samad at his Tribology Lab. His work is mainly in developing polymer nanocomposite coatings for demanding applications. He has published two review papers and three more papers submitted in reputed journals for publication. 

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