Conductive fabrics made of polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotube coated polyester yarns: Mechanical properties and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness

Polypropylene (PP)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) yarns are made into conductive woven/knitted fabrics. The fabric structure, tensile properties, static bursting properties, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the conductive fabrics are evaluated in terms of the content of MWCNT. The test results indicate that the conductive fabrics have optimal tensile strength and optimal bursting strength when composed of 2 wt% MWCNT. Moreover, the conductive fabrics have a stabilized structure as well as the lowest electrical resistivity and an optimal EMI SE when composed of 8 wt% MWCNT. Similarly, 3-layered conductive fabrics also have the maximum EMI SE. The conductive fabrics produced in this study have permanent electrical properties, a light weight, and flexibility. Moreover, their EMI SE reaches the protection level required by standard electronic devices.