Development of lightweight polypropylene/carbon fiber composites for its application in shielding of electromagnetic interference in X-band

摘要

Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polypropylene composites with a different weight percentage of CF were synthesized using a viable industrial dispersion process utilizing a twin-screw extruder. Their mechanical, thermal, electrical, and fracture morphology properties were inspected for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. An increase in the tensile strength of the composite noted at the maximum loading (20 wt%) of CF. Improvement in thermal stability with degradation temperature of (480 °C) measured at 20 wt% CF. A noteworthy increase in electrical conductivity (3.73 × 10~(-3) S cm~(-1)) of these composites seen, which yielded the EMI shielding effectiveness of - 32.92 dB at 20 wt% CF in the X-band recommending their probability as a thermally steady EMI shielding material.