FINE POLYMERIC POWDERS FROM POLY(ARYLENE ETHER KETONE)S

A relatively new method for graphite composite formation, aqueous dispersion prepregging, could potentially circumvent many of the environmental and processing problems of the current methods. However, aqueous dispersion prepregging requires that the high-performance polymer be in the form of a stable colloidal dispersion, preferably of small uniform particles. This research will examine the formation of submicrometre particles from the high-performance thermoplastic polymer, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), for use in aqueous dispersion prepregging. The procedure will involve first the synthesis of the monomer 4,4'-difluoro(N-benzohydroxylidene aniline) and the polymerization of this monomer and hydroquinone to form the amorphous PEEK derivative poly(ether ether ketimine). 4,4'-Difluoro(N-benzohydroxylidene aniline) can also be copolymerized with 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone to form a semicrystalline, soluble PEEK derivative. The subsequent hydrolysis of these derivatives to semicrystalline PEEK results in the formation of submicrometre particles.