Adherent metallization of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic composites using a combined vacuum/electrochemical deposition process

Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic composites (CFCs) were metallized using plasma etching and plasma deposition methods in combination with a conventional electrodeposition process. This new approach yields highly adherent, thick metallic layers of Cu on CFCs at economic rates. In addition, the use of environmentally hazardous chemicals can be reduced to a minimum. Dry plasma etching was applied to pretreat the CFC samples and proved to yield superior adhesion results compared to conventional wet chemical etching or mechanical treatment. Electroless-deposited copper, sputtered copper and arc-ion-plated Cu and Cr were investigated as an adhesive intermediate layer between the CFC base material and the electrodeposited Cu top coating. Arc-ion-plated Cr-Cu two-component layers and multilayers were developed, which simultaneously provide high coating adhesion for the CFC matrix and exhibit a high electric conductivity for a subsequent electrodeposition process. The adhesion was measured using a z-axis pull test and a 90° peel test.