Fig. 3

Images showing the syntheses of three of the materials used in this study. a A PEEK GF30 disk surrounded by silica nanopowder and covered by a layer of copper filings, in an oven to be heated to 345 °C under a nitrogen flow. b PEEK GF30 disk after removal from the oven showing silica nanopowder adhered to the surface. The red circle shows the approximate piece cut out and used for the test. c Silica nanopower in an aluminum ring being pressed at 25 MPa. d Pressed silica nanopowder with Ceramacast 905 added. e Same sample as D turned over to show side that will be polished after the packing tape is removed. f Pressed silica nanopowder with Aremco-Bond 526N added. g Same sample as F turned over to show side that will be polished after the packing tape is removed. h SEM image of the surface of the polished Ceramacast 905 + silica sample used for SIMS. Scale bar is 20 μm