Polypropylene/Carbon Fiber Composite Layered Materials: Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effect and Mechanical Performance

In this study, conductive polymer composites and conductive functional fabrics are combined to serve as electromagnetic shielding planks. Polypropylene (PP), carbon black (CB), and short carbon fibers (SCF) are blended at different ratios to form conductive polymer composites (i.e. PCS series). The mechanical property, electrical property, morphology, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the PCS series are evaluated. The test results show that with 20 wt% of conductive fillers (i.e. CB and SCF), PCS20 exhibits the optimal tensile strength, flexural strength, and electrical property that is 7 order of magnitude higher than that of pure PP plates. Moreover, the EMI SE of this group also reaches −30 dB, which meets level one of civil EMI SE standard. Therefore, PCS20 is used to combine with four conductive sandwiches. The resulting multilayered functional PCS-sandwich planks are tested in terms of mechanical property, morphology, and EMI SE. The test results show that the planks composed of a pure conductive woven sandwich have the maximum tensile property and significantly improved impact resistance. All of the multilayered functional planks have EMI SE that is higher than −50dB and are qualified for the protection level of standard EMI SE electronic devices.