Influence of glass fibre content on catalytic and adhesion properties of laser irradiated polyamide composites

Abstract

Granulated polyamide (PA6) was mechanically mixed with copper oxide and copper acetylacetonate powders and with glass fibres, then extruded and injection moulded to produce three types of composites varying in the glass fibre content. The composites were irradiated with a Nd:YAG laser (λ = 1064 nm) and ArF excimer laser (λ = 193 nm). Next, they were electroless metalised by the use of a commercial metallisation bath and formaldehyde as a reducing agent. The surface of the specimens irradiated with the Nd:YAG laser did not exhibit adequate catalytic properties. The sample containing 30 wt-% of the glass fibres showed the best catalytic properties. However, these properties were still insufficient from the viewpoint of applicability. On the other hand, the specimens irradiated with the ArF laser could effectively be metallised. In this case, improvement of the catalytic and adhesion properties of the composites was observed as the glass fibre content was increased.