Polyimide (PI) fabric was coated with composite films composed of poly(N-benzyloxycarbonyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) (PNBD) and montmorillonite (MMT), prepared via layer-by-layer assembly. Three coating recipes (changed by altering the concentration of PNBD solution) were used to study the growth of thin films. Scanning electron microscope showed that, after 20 times standard washing, PNBD-MMT film still coated on PI fiber, while MMT film coated on PI had been almost washed off. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that, in nitrogen atmosphere at 900 C, the residue of uncoated PI was 36.62%, after 20 times standard washing, residue of PNBD-MMT coated PI (53.80%) was higher than that of MMT coated PI (50.08%). Vertical flame testing showed that the burning length of PNBD-MMT coated PI (7 mm) was much shorter than that of uncoated PI (30 mm) and MMT coated PI (17 mm) after 20 times standard washing. These results demonstrated the excellent flame retardancy and durability of PNBD-MMT film coated PI fabric.