Preparation of HDPE/Ni-P composite material by electroless plating and its mass transfer characteristics

Abstract

The advantages of plastic fuel tank for metal fuel tank are low cost, easy design, anti-corrosion, light-weighted. One of the most disadvantageous problems for plastic fuel tank is easy leakage of volatile materials to the environment. The metal coating of HDPE as a barrier for the mass transfer of hydrocarbon gases is a new technology. In experimental results, good etchant for HDPE is the mixed acid with $CrO_3$ and $H_2SO_4$. We researched for electroless nickel plating because their good corrosion and wear resistance and the change of morphology as a function of etching time. The change of morphology of plated substrates as a function of plating time and for the diameter of plated metal on HDPE for various times was researched. Plating was initiated on the Pd atoms progressing into the outer surface of the Pd atoms, and finally the total surface on HDPE plated. Also, we plated Ni metal on HDPE by eletroplating when the initial surface on HDPE substrate was plated by electroless plating. The change of plating thickness as a function of plating temperature and as a function of plating time was researched. Plating thickness was linearly increased with the plating time and was exponentially increased with the plating temperature. We researched for the plating thickness on HDPE as a function of the etching time. Its plating thickness is independent of the etching time. The adhesive strength of Ni-P metal on HDPE as a function of plating thickness and as a function of plating temperature and Pd element number on HDPE were researched. The adhesive strength was independent of the plating thickness and plating temperature and Pd element number on HDPE. The adhesive strength of Ni-P film to HDPE as a function of $CrO_3$ concentration and the etching temperature and the etching time were researched. For the adhesive strength, the concentration of $CrO_3$ and etching temperature were more sensitive factors than etching time. We researched for the relation between the ...