SHORT CHOPPED NICKEL COATED FIBER AS A CONDUCTIVE ADDITIVE TO DISPLACE NICKEL COATED GRAPHITE POWDER

摘要

The use of short length (mm or less) nickel coated carbon fibers as a conductive additiveis described. The effects of fiber length, weight percent nickel coating on the fiber and weightpercent loading of coated fiber in a silicone resin are evaluated. The data is compared to nickelcoated carbon powders, the current material of choice for creating gaskets, fillers and coatingswith high volume , low cost and moderate conductivity. Flowability, density and cost are alsoevaluated. The results of the experiment indicate that the use of short length nickel coatedcarbon fibers in a polymer can achieve levels of conductivity that exceed the performance ofnickel coated graphite powder, at greatly reduced weight and cost.