Effect of Surface Preparation on Electroless Ni-P Plating on Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Cyanate Ester Resin Laminate

The effect of surface preparation on electroless Ni-P plating on carbon fiber reinforced cyanate ester resin laminate has been investigated. Three different surface chemical etching ways were performed, namely: (i) hexanediamine etching, (ii) hexanediamine followed by aniline etching, and (iii) aniline etching. The results indicated that Ni-P coating on hexanediamine etching or hexanediamine followed by aniline etching pre-treated carbon fiber reinforced cyanate ester resin laminates usually tended to be cracked, veined, and low adhesion, while aniline etched laminates showed a homogenous roughing surface which is suitable for subsequently uniform, cellular, and good adhesion Ni-P plating. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers