The mainstream reinforced structures for composite materials include woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and braided fabrics. These structures exhibit excellent strength, interlayer shear resistance, abrasion resistance, and ease of forming into specific dimensions. Polyimide fibers, as a type of high-performance fiber, can also be used as reinforcing fibers and applied in textile structures for advanced composite materials.

Polyimide fabrics have exceptional thermal insulation properties. Tests show that the thermal resistance value of a single layer of polyimide fabric is more than twice that of pure cotton fabric with the same structural parameters. When polyimide fabrics are layered into two or three layers, their thermal insulation performance is even more superior.

The surface of original PI fiber products is not treated, which may result in insufficient abrasion resistance during weaving, making it hard to meet high-strength weaving requirements.
The surface of PI fibers has low polarity, affecting their interface adhesion with other materials such as resins or other fibers. Good interface adhesion is a key factor in the preparation of composite materials, significantly impacting the overall performance.
Due to insufficient surface activity, the performance of PI fibers might be limited in some applications, such as coating or other chemical treatment processes where the effects might not be optimal.

Polyimide fiber materials offer superior thermal stability compared to many other synthetic fibers, such as aramid and polyester. They can withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures without significant degradation, which is essential for applications in environments where thermal cycling and heat resistance are critical, such as in aerospace insulation and electrical insulation systems.

Polyimide fiber reinforcements are extensively used in applications requiring high thermal stability and mechanical performance, such as in aerospace components, electrical insulation for high-temperature applications, and flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs). Their lightweight and robust nature makes them ideal for use in advanced composites and thermal protection systems.

Polyimide fibers demonstrate excellent fire resistance due to their high char yield and low flammability. Unlike many synthetic fibers that can melt or produce toxic fumes when exposed to flames, polyimide fibers char and form a protective layer, which helps to insulate underlying materials and prevent fire propagation. This characteristic is crucial for applications in fire safety and protective clothing.

Processing polyimide fiber materials can be challenging due to their high melting point and sensitivity to moisture. Fabrication methods often require specialized equipment to handle the high temperatures needed for shaping and curing. Additionally, achieving consistent quality in fiber production requires strict control over processing conditions to minimize defects and maintain desired properties.