Carbon fiber (CF) was catalytically activated with spark generated Pd aerosol nanoparticles Metal (Ag, Au, Cu, and Pd) and alloy (Ni-P, Ni-Cu-P) electroless films were deposited on Pd aerosol activated CF using a range of deposition parameters including deposition rate in an electroless deposition bath. Sintering was applied to the alloy films on the CF to examine the crystallization behavior at 400 degrees C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Ni-Cu-P had a higher crystallinity than Ni-P after the treatment (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.