Phenolic fibers modified by PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) have been prepared by melt spinning. SEM (Scanning
Electron Microscope), DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis), TG (Thermogravimetric Analysis) and FT-IR (Fourier Trans form Infrared Spectrometer) were employed to characterize the structure and performance of the PVC flame retardant phenolic fibers. In comparison the PVC flame retardant phenolic fibers with the pure phenolic fibers, the addition of 0.5wt% PVC in the precursor resin obviously increases mechanical strength and flame resistance of the resultant fibers. The tensile strength increa ses from123.0 MPa to 150.0 MPa, and the limited oxygen index increases from32.1% to 38.5%. However, the thermal stabil ity of the PVC flame retardant phenolic fibers is reduced. In addition, the carbon yield of the PVC flame retardant phenolic fibers decreases from 87.4% to 70.9% at 600益, from 62.8% to 59.7% at 1 000 in nitrogen.