Fabrication of magnetic and EMI shielding wood-based composite by electroless Ni-Fe-P plating process

Abstract

A Ni-Fe-P alloy coating was applied to Triplochiton scleroxylon veneers to prepare a magnetic, corrosion-resistant, electromagnetism-shielding wood-based composite. The effects of solution pH on metal deposition, surface resistivity, crystal structure, and the chemical composition of the coatings were investigated. The electro-conductivity, anti-corrosion properties, and magnetic and electromagnetic shielding performances were also measured. The results showed that increasing the pH favored the co-deposition of nickel and iron; metal deposition increased and surface resistivity decreased. The Ni-Fe-P alloy coatings obtained at pH values between 8.8 and 9.6 were all crystalline. VSM data revealed that the addition of elemental Fe to the deposits remarkably increased the magnetic properties of the products. The anti-corrosion properties of Ni-Fe-P coatings were higher than those of Ni-P coatings prepared in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness value of Ni-Fe-P plated veneer reached 45 to 60 dB at frequencies ranging from 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz.