The effect of a compliant polyimide nanocoating on the tensile properties of a high strength PAN-based carbon fiber

The effect of a compliant polyimide nanocoating on the tensile strength of a polyacrylonitrile-based high tensile strength (T1000GB) carbon fiber was investigated. The pyromellitic dianhydride/4-4′-oxydianiline polyimide nanocoating was deposited by high-temperature vapor deposition polymerization. The thickness of the polyimide coating was about 100 nm. The tensile strength and Weibull modulus of nanocoated and uncoated fiber bundles were evaluated using a polyimide-impregnated bundle-composite. The results clearly demonstrated that the compliant polyimide nanocoating is effective in improving the tensile strength and Weibull modulus of T1000GB carbon fiber.