Mechanical Properties of Carbon/PEEK Composites According to the Fiber Ply Orientation and Sizing Removal of Carbon Fiber for Artificial Hip Joint

The purpose of this study is to determine the correct estimation of the mechanical property between epoxy resin and PEEK sheet as the composites and its validity has been tested with the alternative materials of the metal-based materials for artificial hip joint. Moreover, this work evaluated the mechanical properties according to the temperature of heat treatments for sizing removal of carbon fiber and the fractured surfaces of Carbon/Epoxy and Carbon/PEEK composites were also evaluated. First, the sizing removal of carbon fiber were conducted at 300°C for 4 hours and 400°C for 2 hours. The fractured surface in the specimen of tensile test made from PEEK and epoxy resin was observed by SEM. the fracture surface of the tensile test specimen of the Carbon/Epoxy composites heat-treated to 400°C showed that the resin did not bury nearly in the fiber surface and pull out was observed. It is shown that 400°C is suitable for the sizing removal of the carbon fiber. The mechanical test result showed that there was no significant differences in short beam strength. However, the tensile strength and compressive strength of the Carbon/PEEK composites was higher than those of the Carbon/Epoxy composites in the case of the Vacuum Bag process. In addition, this result showed that the sizing material did not have a significant effect on the strength of the Carbon/PEEK composites.