Thermal Characteristics of High-Strength and Thermostable Aromatic Fibres

Abstract

The thermal characteristics of ten kinds of para-aramid, meta-aramid, polyoxadiazole, and polyimide fibres were investigated by dynamic thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermomechanical analysis. It was shown that thermooxidative degradation of these fibres begins at 400-450°C and is intensified at higher temperatures. These fibres are characterized by dimensional stability up to the temperature of onset of thermooxidative processes (up to 400-450°C) except for meta-aramid fibres, which exhibit approximately 5% shrinkage at high temperatures. With respect to thermal stability, the fibres are in the following order: polyimide > heterocyclic para-aramid and polyoxadiazole > carbocyclic paraaramid > meta-aramid.