These attributes enhance product performance, safety, and efficiency, aligning with the stringent requirements of these dynamic sectors. Among them, thermoplastic CFRP composites, such as carbon fibre-poly-ether-ether-ketone (CF-PEEK), are superior due to their excellent mechanical properties such as strength and fatigue resistance 2, chemical inactivity and corrosion resistance 3, 4, recyclability, thermal stability and insulation characteristics, and wear resistivity 5, 6. There is a growing demand for the application of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in aerospace and aviation industries, owing to their outstanding mechanical properties compared to conventional metals 1. Also, fibre orientation affects the hardness in a statistically significant manner in both unirradiated and irradiated conditions. It was observed that, irradiation increases the hardness of the fibres in all cases. Then, were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy and their hardness was evaluated using nanoindentation. The samples have been radiated with 5 MeV He 2+ ions using an energy degrader wheel to create a layer with relatively uniform damage. Since the resistance of CF-PEEK to radiation damage has not been studied extensively, this study aims to understand the effect of high-energy He 2+ ions on the microstructure and properties of CF-PEEK composites manufactured using automated fibre placement (AFP) under different processing conditions. The ion irradiation of CF-PEEK is accompanied by radiation-induced effects, which drastically change the structure and properties of irradiated material. The components made from CF-PEEK composites for space applications will be subjected to a high radiation environment due to the incoming cosmic rays, comprising protons, α particles, electrons, γ rays, etc., once they escape the Earth’s atmosphere. These properties encompass recyclability, low density, high strength, wear resistance and thermal stability. Carbon fibre-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF-PEEK) composites have gained significant usage across diverse industries like automotive and aerospace due to their desirable characteristics.

Peek material hardness scale