Influence of carbon fiber nickel electroplating on the electromagnetic interference shielding and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 composites

This article investigates the use of nickel electroplated carbon fiber (Ni-CF) fabric to enhance the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capability of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTs), particularly for automotive and aerospace applications. The study examines the influence of nickel electroplating parameters of carbon fiber on the morphologies of carbon fiber fabrics. Ni-CF reinforced polyamide 6 (Ni-CF/PA 6) was prepared by the film-stacking method. The flexural properties analysis demonstrates a 21.1% increase in flexural strength for Ni-CF/PA 6 composites compared to as-received carbon fiber reinforced PA 6 (CF/PA 6) composites. Additionally, the introduction of nickel layer significantly improves the EMI shielding efficiency of CF/PA 6 composites, with the average shielding efficiency increasing from 23.5 to 31.6 dB within the X-band and Ku-band frequency ranges. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirms that the nickel layer enhances the interfacial bonding between the PA 6 matrix and the Ni-CF, which is attributed to the micro cone-shaped structures of the nickel layer. Overall, the electroplating method effectively modifies the carbon fiber surface, resulting in composite laminates with enhanced mechanical properties and superior EMI shielding efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of advanced carbon fiber reinforced composites with improved functionalities in various applications.