Study of electroless nickel–phosphorus plating process on polyester fiber surface

The effects of plating bath composition, pH, loading capacity of polyester, and plating time on electroless nickel–phosphorous plating were studied by evaluating the weight gain rate and resistance of polyester fiber. The optimal process parameters of electroless nickel– phosphorous plating were obtained as follows: sodium citrate 10 g/L, nickel sulfate 20 g/L, sodium hypophosphite 8 g/L, sodium acetate 15 g/L, pH 6.0-6.2, temperature 80 °C, loading capacity 9 g/L, and time 10-15 min. The polyester fiber obtained after electroless nickel–phosphorous plating under optimal process conditions has a weight gain rate of ca.19% and a resistance of 10Ω/cm.