The influence of heat treatment on electroless-nickel coated fibre (ENCF) on the mechanical properties and EMI shielding of ENCF reinforced ABS polymeric composites

After 900 degreesC heat treatment in vacuum, electroless nickel/phosphorus (Ni/P) alloy on the surface of carbon fiber (CF) acts as a catalyst for the transformation of carbon to graphite. Although the resistivity of graphite was lower than that of carbon, it was broken by the blending roller during compounding processes. As a result, the composite, which was fabricated by 900 degreesC heat-treated CF and ABS polymer, showed the poorest mechanical properties and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of various annealed electroless Ni/P-coated carbon fiber (ENCF) reinforced ABS polymeric composites. When ENCF was heat-treated at 600 degreesC, the EMI SE and mechanical properties of composites were improved owing to the lower electrical resistivity, longer mean fiber length and the good interfacial bonding between Ni/P and CF. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.