Abstract
In this study, the EMI shielding effectiveness and electrical conductivity of nickel-coated Polycarbonate Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PCABS)/Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) graphitic composites with reinforcement by carbon fibre were investigated. Pulverized PCABS and PPS powder particles were coated with nickel using the electroless deposition technique. Electron microscopy evidenced the uniform nickel deposition on PCABS and PPS powder particles. The conductive composites were prepared with various amounts of nickel-coated PCABS/ PPS, carbon fibre (CF) and graphite in order to increase the electrical conductivity of the matrix. Composites were found to have excellent electrical conductivities of 12 S/cm and 19 S/cm, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of 79 dB and 87 dB respectively. Tensile strengths at break were decreased by filler addition, and both tensile and flexural moduli were increased. The resulting conductive composites could be used in applications where metals have typically been the materials of choice.