Electroplating of Copper on the Continuous Carbon Fibers

Abstract

Surface metallization of continuous carbon fibers (CFs) can improve the properties of the interface between the CFs and the metal matrix of the metal based composites. In this study, copper was coated on the surface of continuous CFs by electroplating in acidified copper sulfate electrolyte system. The effects of electroplating parameters such as current density, plating time, plating temperature and the pH value of electrolyte solution on the electroplating of the copper thin films on CFs were studied. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to determine the microstructure of the copper coatings, and its composition and crystal structure. The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the thermal stability of the CFs after electroplating. The results showed that high quality copper-coated CFs can be obtained under the optimized plating parameters as follows: the current density 3~4mA/cm2, electroplating time 10~20min, the temperature and the pH value of electrolyte solution 3.0~4.0, 20~30°C respectively. The coatings were uniform and smooth, which were adhered to CFs. XRD patterns indicated that the copper coatings were mainly composed of pure copper. And TGA results identified an increase in thermal stability of the copper coated CFs.

Electrochemical Surface Treatment of Discontinuous Carbon Fibers

“…Previous studies on electrochemical oxidation of carbon fiber tows and electroplating carbon filaments demonstrated the successful surface treatment of noncontinuous carbon fibers in electrochemical cells. ,,,, Andideh and Esfandeh demonstrated that high oxidation of short carbon fiber tows can be achieved by nitric acid electrolysis, and some research groups demonstrated that relatively thick layers of nickel and copper coatings can be deposited on carbon filaments through electrolysis with nickel and copper salt solutions. Unfortunately, the former method can only treat one or a few carbon fiber tows at a time, and the latter method would damage carbon fibers during agitation of the solution (i.e., fibers would be broken up during stirring).…”

Enhancement of thermal stability and wettability for epoxy/Cu coated carbon fiber composites

“…Metal coating can be applied in different ways, such as electrode position, thermal evaporation, dipping and electroless plating [5,6]. Electroless plating has been recognized as one of the most attractive and best ways to apply coatings on none or semiconducting surface.…”

“…It is a process of deposing thin layer of metals, salts, oxides or any other compounds used in various industrial and technological applications. A redox reaction between a metal salt and a formaldehydes reduction in the same solution, a metal coating on surface can be formed in the absence of external current flow [5].…”