Carbon/Peek/Zirconia hybrid composite for high-performance applications

Hybrid polymer composites are very promising for applications in a wide variety of sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, robotics, energy and construction. These materials consist of a polymer matrix and two or more fillers, which synergically interact resulting in enhanced specific properties and performance. Among hybrid polymer composites, those based on carbon fibers reinforced poly(ether ether ketone) (C-PEEK) are gaining a primary role for their excellent mechanical and chemical properties; zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles can further enhance these properties, improving also the wear resistance. In this paper, a new hybrid C-PEEK+ZrO2 composite has been studied and its mechanical properties compared with its reference composite C-PEEK.