Durability of carbon fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone-polyurethane adhesive joints in aqueous environments

AbstractAs part of a project to develop a biomimetic artificial joint, it was necessary to bond carbon fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (APC2) to thermoplastic polyurethane. As no qualified adhesives were available, adhesive bonding using hot compression moulding was the chosen methodology. The human body is one of the most aggressive environments that an adhesive bond has to endure. The durability of these APC2–polyurethane joints has been investigated in various aqueous environments including Ringer's solution and distilled water. Prior to bonding, the APC2 specimens were exposed to plasma etching and oxidising flame surface treatments to improve adhesion properties. Peel testing revealed that strong and durable bond strengths were recorded and no aging effects were observed when the adhesive joints were stored in a dry atmosphere for 1 year. However, when stored in the aqueous media the bonds rapidly deteriorated to unacceptable levels after 7 days. It was found using a variety of techniques inclu...