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 °C 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 °C 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 °C, 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.