The study of electroless Ni-W-P alloy plating on glass fibers

Ni-W-P coatings were deposited on the surface of glass fibers by the electroless plating process. The bath was very stable through the palladium salt test. There was no phenomenon of peeling and blistering on the surface of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers in the thermal shock test. It showed that the deposit had high impact strength and good adhesion. The morphology of the coatings was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The elements and their contents were tested and analyzed by energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS). The tungsten content reached up to 12.1 wt.%. The effects of the concentrations of NiSO₄, Na₂WO₄, and NaH₂PO₂·H₂O on the conductivity of the coatings were studied. The resistivity of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers reached 7.39 × 10^-3 Ω·cm. The alloy coatings on glass fibers were analyzed by XRD. The results indicated that the deposit had an amorphous structure and good heat stability. The suitable work temperature range was lower than 190°C. Finally, the electromagnetic parameters of the Ni-W-P alloy glass fibers were tested and analyzed primarily. The magnetic loss reached 0.04023 and the dielectric loss reached -5.80239. The plated alloy is a kind of soft magnetic material.