Effects of methylene chloride sorption on the properties of poly(ether ether ketone)

Sorption of methylene chloride by poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has been studied for both amorphous and highly crystalline polymer. After the determination of sorption and desorption curves, the crystallinity of the two materials after desorption was determined both by density and X-ray measurements. The experimental results indicate the existence of solvent-induced crystallization in initially amorphous PEEK and a virtual lack of this process in highly crystalline PEEK. In the latter case, the observed density increase is attributed to solvent compression and a decrease in free volume. The mechanical behavior of both PEEKs is consistent with their crystallinity levels. The mechanical behavior of both PEEKs before and after sorption allows us to discern the separate effects of the two processes to which the presence of methylene chloride in PEEK gives rise, i.e., plasticization and solvent-induced crystallization. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.