Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft

Claus Schobesberger

Klaus Weinrotter

Sigrid Seidl

Herbert Griesser

There are disclosed flame-retardant, high temperature resistant polyimide fibers of the general formula ##STR1## wherein n is an integer larger than 1, A is a tetravalent aromatic group and R is at least one divalent aromatic group. These polyimide fibers have been heat-treated in the unstretched state and have a maximum shrinkage of 14% when heated to a temperature of 400.degree. C. These polyimide fibers are produced by initially spinning crude fibers from a solution of the appropriate polyimide in an aprotic organic solvent, preferably according to the dry-spinning method, which solution optionally contains additives. The crude fibers obtained are washed with water to remove the solvent. The washed crude fibers are dried to a moisture content of less than 5% by mass, are subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature of between 315.degree. C and 450.degree. C, are cooled and, if desired, are crimped and cut to staple fibers. What is essential is that the heated crude fibers are heat-treated and cooled in the unstretched state.

Growing community of inventors

Vocklabruck, Austria

Claus Schobesberger