JPS6327444B

Non-flammable, high-temperature resistant polyimide fibers have irregularly lobed or serrated cross-sections, a wool-like smooth hand and high brightness. They are produced by a dry-spinning process which is carried out in a spinning column, wherein a 20 to 40% solution of the polyimide is spun from spinnerets having circular orifices, the orifice numbers ranging from 20 to 800 and the orifice diameters from 100 to 300 mu m. An extrusion speed of between 20 and 100 m/min, a take-up speed of between 100 and 800 m/min, an amount of spin gas between 40 and 100 m3/h under standard conditions and a spin gas temperature of between 200 DEG and 350 DEG C. are applied. The tows leaving the spinning column, which contain residual solvent from 5 to 25% by weight-based on dry polymer-and have a single filament titer of between 3.5 and 35 dtex, are washed in hot water, then they are dried to a moisture content of less than 5%, subsequently are drawn at high temperatures and, if desired, are crimpled and cut into staple fibers.