Owing to the specific aromatic heterocyclic structures in the polymer chains

polyimide (PI) fibers exhibit superior mechanical as well as thermal properties

excellent radiation resistance

good dielectric performance and chemical stability. Therefore

they have potential applications in aerospace

high-temperature resistance

flame retardance

electronic industry and nuclear energy. Thus

PI fibers are considered as one of the most promising high-performance fibers in the 21st century. Recently

a number of advances have been made for PI fibers to be increasingly explored along with the development of more monomers selection and spinning technology

which greatly promotes the industrialization and development of PI fibers. This review discusses the research progresses of high-performance PI fibers at home and abroad

and analyses the effects of chemical structure

spinning condition and imidization process on the properties of PI fibers and meanwhile

the development prospect of PI fibers is proposed.