Short Carbon Fiber Surface Copper Plating Process

As a reinforcing phase, carbon fiber in carbon fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composites must be closely bonded with the matrix aluminum alloy to reflect the reinforcing properties of carbon fiber. Since carbon fiber and aluminum will have a chemical reaction, it is necessary to modify the surface of carbon fiber to enhance the adhesion between the carbon fiber and the aluminum alloy matrix, and to cut off the chemical reaction between the carbon fiber and the matrix.  

According to China Be-cu Prototype Material Technology Co., Ltd., it is found that the interface wetting angle between liquid aluminum and carbon is greater than 90°, while the wetting angle between aluminum and copper is 0°. It can be completely infiltrated and bonded. Therefore, copper plating on the surface of carbon fiber can effectively increase the adhesion between carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, and play a role in isolating the chemical reaction between aluminum and carbon fiber.It was discovered that aluminum and copper can be completely wetted and bonded. Therefore, copper plating on the surface of carbon fiber may effectively increase the adhesion between carbon fiber and aluminum alloy, and play a role in isolating the chemical reaction between aluminum and carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber products refer to carbon fiber prepregs as raw materials, which are processed into material products that can meet the requirements of use through different cnc machining methods. Compared with traditional glass fiber, carbon fiber profiles have a Young’s modulus that is more than three times that of Kevlar fiber. Compared with Kevlar fiber, its Young’s modulus is about two times that of Kevlar fiber. It does not dissolve or swell in organic solvents, acids, and alkali. , outstanding corrosion resistance.

Metal Powder Spraying, Electroplating And Chemical Plating And Other Method

Carbon fiber tubes have the advantages of high strength, long life, corrosion resistance, light weight, and low density. They are widely used in kites, aviation model aircraft, lamp brackets, PC equipment shafts, etching machines, medical equipment, sports equipment and other mechanical equipment. It has a series of excellent properties such as dimensional stability, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, small thermal expansion coefficient, self-lubrication, energy absorption and earthquake resistance. And it has high mold ratio, fatigue resistance, creep resistance, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, etc.

Among them, ion sputtering and CVD equipment are more expensive and have complex conditions that are difficult to control. However, the coating obtained by metal powder spraying has poor bonding force and the coating is easy to fall off. Therefore, the surface modification of short fibers is mainly through electroplating and chemical plating processes.

Electroless plating does not require power equipment, is less expensive, and can deposit layers on non-conductors, and the sensitive layer is relatively uniform and dense. The chemical plating process has relatively little environmental pollution, and has gradually replaced electroplating as an environmentally friendly surface modification process in many areas. However, during the electroless copper plating of carbon fiber, since the diameter of the carbon fiber monofilament is only 7 μm, which is larger than the nominal area, it is difficult to plate the core of the carbon fiber bundle with metal during the electroless plating process, resulting in “black core” and “caking” phenomena.

At the same time, when electroless copper is plated on carbon fiber surfaces, different stirring methods have different effects on the coating. The company recommends that in order to solve the problem of poor wettability at the interface between carbon fiber and aluminum matrix, different mixing methods, different main salt contents and different fastener methods can be used to copper plate the surface of the carbon fiber, which can be a good solution. “Caking” problem.

At present, the main processes of copper plating on carbon fiber surface include ion sputtering, chemical vapor deposition CVD, metal powder spraying, electroplating and electroless plating. Among them, ion sputtering and CVD equipment are expensive, and the conditions are complex and difficult to control and withstand; however, the adhesion of the coating obtained by metal powder spraying is relatively poor, and the coating is easy to fall off.

Therefore, the surface modification of short fibers is mainly through the surface treatment process of electroplating and electroless plating.   Electroless plating does not require power equipment, costs less, and can deposit layers on non-conductors, and the sensitive layer is more uniform and dense. The chemical plating process has relatively little environmental pollution, and has gradually replaced electroplating as an environmentally friendly surface modification treatment process in many cities.

Summarize

However, when carbon fiber is electroless copper-plated, because the diameter of the carbon fiber monofilament is only 7 μm and the specific surface area is large, it is difficult to coat the core of the carbon fiber bundle with metal during the electroless plating process, and the phenomenon of “black center” and “caking” occurs.   At the same time, when the carbon fiber surface is electroless copper, different stirring methods have different effects on the coating.

China Rapid Prototype Material Technology Co., Ltd. recommends that for the problem of poor wettability between carbon fiber and aluminum matrix interface, different stirring vows, different main salt content and different stabilizer methods can be used to plate the surface of carbon fiber. Copper, can solve the problem of “black heart” and “caking” very well. If you have any needs for carbon fiber, you are welcome to inquire us, or click the online customer service on the right to contact us, we look forward to cooperating with you.

ISO 9001 certified. BE-CU Prototype Offering CNC machining carbon fiber and other manufacturing services for carbon fiber marterial. Various capabilities include notching, labeling, drilling carbon fiber, grinding, laser cutting carbon fiber, finishing, plating, marking, CNC milling carbon fiber and turning carbon fiber.We stock high quality 3k carbon fiber sheet in a variety of thickness, types and finish. Its a great material used in applications where light weight and strength are needed such as drones. Unlike other workshops, we have no min order and are often filling orders with a single part. We also don’t make you pay for the full sheet and you only get charged for what is used. With a large selection of material, you should find everything you need to make your project come to life. We are also able to handle larger production runs and provide a competitive pricing. If we don’t have the material or finish you require, we are more the willing to look at bringing it in for you.

What Is Carbon Fiber?Carbon fiber is made of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) (or pitch, viscose) and other organic fibers by carbonization (removal of most elements except carbon) by pyrolysis method under inert gas at high temperature above 1,000 °C. Inorganic polymer fibers with a carbon content of more than 90%.