Electroless nickel plating on carbon fibers - bath stabilizers

Electroless metallization of carbon fibers was investigated with use of Ni-P deposition. Tenax roving of carbon fibers was metallized after preliminary heat treatment on air. The surface of fibers was then catalytically activated in Sn(II) and Pd(II) baths. The Ni-P coating (2-5% mas.P; thickness 0,3-2 mu m) was deposited in bath contained nickel(II) sulfate(VI), hypophosphite and glycine (pH = 8,5; 70 degrees C; 5-30 min). In aim to prevent the bath self-decomposition, the stabilizers and wetting agents were added, e.g. thiourea, nitrate(III), arsenate(III), molybdate(VI) and alkylammonium salts. In stabilized baths the time of Ni-P deposition on carbon fiber was considerably prolonged.