HIGHLY-FILLED, MOLDABLE POLYARYLETHERKETONES

Injection moldable, highly filled polymer composites are provided which exhibit high dimensional stability at temperatures above the glass transition temperature of the matrix polymer. The heat distortion temperature of the composites approaches that of the crystal melting temperature of the matrix polymer. The composite includes a polyaryletherketone matrix and at least two types of fillers each providing unique properties. The first filler is a reinforcing fiber filler which provides high strength and stiffness. The second filler is an non-thermoplastic immobilizing filler to immobilize the amorphous portion of the partially crystalline polyaryletherketone polymer and provide resistance to high temperature distortion. Notwithstanding its improved mechanical and heat resistant properties, the composite remains injection moldable and thus capable of low cost manufacturing.