The chopped fiber reinforced thermosetting polyimide composites (C–T700/HT–350RTM) were produced through molding process

and the chopped T700 carbon fiber (C–T700) were chosen as reinforcing material

the HT–350RTM polyimide were chosen as resin matrix. The influences of changing carbon fiber volume fraction on the coefficient of linear expansion and mechanical properties of C–T700/HT–350RTM composites were investigated. The experimental results showed that the coefficient of linear expansion of C–T700/HT–350RTM composites decreased with the chopped fiber volume fraction increased

and the tensile modulus

compression modulus

flexural modulus increased with increasing chopped fiber volume fraction

while the tensile strength and flexural strength first increased and then decreased

the compressive strength has slowly increased with the increasing of chopped fiber volume fraction.