Contribution of Raman analysis on tribological study of PEEK reinforced with micro or nano SiC particles

This study examines the tribological behavior of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) particles of varying sizes and concentrations. The composites, filled with both nano- and micro-sized SiC particles at different loadings (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%), were evaluated for their wear resistance and friction properties using a ball-on-plate tribometer. Raman spectroscopy was employed to track crystallinity changes in the PEEK matrix within the wear tracks, revealing significant amorphization in high-stress regions, especially with higher SiC content.

The findings show that nano-sized SiC particles provide superior reduced friction compared to their micro-sized counterparts, with optimal performance at 5–7.5% filler content. Nano-sized SiC particles enhance tribological performance by reducing friction while maintaining structural integrity in high-performance applications. However, higher SiC content led to increased wear in both micro- or nano-reinforced composites due to the instability of the wear debris. The study emphasizes the importance of particle size and filler content in improving tribological properties and suggests that further investigation into the mechanisms of wear and molecular disorientation could enhance the performance of PEEK-SiC composites.