Preparation and properties of silver electroless plated PET fabrics

Electromagnetic shielding poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) fabrics were prepared by electroless plating of silver.The silver plated fabrics were characterized by surface morphology,chemical composition and crystal structure using FE-SEM,EDS and XRD.An investigation of thickness,mass gain,color fastness to rubbing,surface resistance,anti-static property,tensile strength,breaking elongation,stiffness,draping and air permeability of PET fabrics before and after electroless plating of silver.The Results revealed that the metal-layer is high purity sliver with face cubic central structure.Sliver plated polyester fabric has higher anti-static property,tensile strength,elongation,stiffness,and draping,but lower air permeability.The color fastness to rubbing decreases with the increase of mass gain.The fabrics show good color fastness to rubbing and conductivity when the mass gain 35%.