In order to develop the high quality electromagnetic interference (EMI) shi
elding textiles for protective clothing, polyester fabrics were electroless
copper-plated. Effects of pretreatment conditions such as scouring, etchin
g, and catalyzation on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness
(EMISE) and physical properties of treated fabrics were investigated.
High EMISE of fabrics over the wide range of frequency level were obtained
when fabrics were scoured with 0.3% NaOH and 1.0% Triton X-100, and etched
with the mixture of HCl/HNO3, at 25 degreesC for 30 min before activation.
We found that KCl was the better catalyst activator than commonly used SnCl
2. EMISE of copper-plated fabrics increased as the concentration of KCl inc
reased up to 1:8 molar ratio of PdCl2:KCl then decreased with further addit
ion. As the catalyzation temperature increased from 25 to 40 degreesC, the
EMISE of copper-plated fabrics increased, whereas their EMISE reduced to ab
out zero when the activation temperature exceeded over 40 degreesC. Physica
l proper-ties including tensile extension and drape stiffness of copper-pla
ted fabrics are higher than those of the untreated PET. but tensile strengt
h was slightly decreased. By scanning electron microscope (SEM), we found s
pecial fracturing behavior of the copper-coated PET fabrics due to the duct
ility and brittleness of copper film on the PET fabric. (C) 2001 Elsevier S
cience B.V. All rights reserved.