The role of process induced polymer morphology on the fracture toughness of titanium–PEKK interfaces

The effect of the degree crystallinity on fracture toughness titanium–PEKK interfaces was investigated experimentally. level at interface varied by employing different processes commonly used in aerospace, namely autoclave consolidation, press-forming and annealing. assessed via Double Cantilever Beam test, while polymer evaluated Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Fracture surfaces were analyzed using confocal microscopy, SEM AFM, to correlate failure mechanisms toughness. samples with a high exhibited lower dominant cohesive failure, consisting combination brittle spherulites, ductile amorphous regions between spherulites. Lowering led higher toughness, due extensive plastic deformation polymer. In addition, fractography showed transition from interfacial case low crystallinity. Our results show that crystalline structure has be taken into account when optimizing performance metal–composite hybrid joints based thermoplastic matrices.