Mechanical and Tribological Performance of Aramid Fiber‐Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone Composites With Coating: Influence and Mechanisms

ABSTRACT This study investigated the synergistic effects of phosphoric acid etching and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK)/ethylenediamine graphene oxide (EGO) coating on improving the interfacial adhesion between aramid fiber (AF) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) matrix, thereby enhancing the mechanical and tribological properties of the resulting composites. AF surfaces were first roughened via phosphoric acid etching to promote interfacial interaction, followed by coating with a hybrid coating composed. The treated fibers were incorporated into PEEK to form composites. The results indicate that the water contact angle of AF was reduced by 103.1% after coating modification, while the tensile strength increased by 13.3%, demonstrating improved wettability and tensile properties of the modified fibers. AF‐reinforced PEEK composites were fabricated using vacuum hot‐pressing technique. Mechanical testing revealed significant improvements in the composites' performance: the tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength increased by 28.1%, 12.6%, and 47.3%, respectively, while the friction coefficient decreased by 140% compared to the control, and wear rate reduced by 19%.