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We investigate the mechanical behavior of short carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites in high vacuum and temperature condition. The material used in this study is short carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composites (SCFR-PI) with various fiber contents. Tension tests are carried out with the aid of AE method. From the experimental results, the SCFR-PI composite at temperature 298K in high vacuum condition has higher tensile strength and higher equivalent Young's modulus than than in the room condition. Furthermore, it is seen that the fracture surface of the specimen in high vacuum conditions is not flat. The strength of interfacial bonding between carbon fibers and the thermoplastic polyimide resin matrix becomes better in high vacuum conditions. It is found that there exist the degas and/or moisture effects on the strength of SCFR-PI composites in the high vacuum condition and their microfractures.
