Polyetherimide composites

Polyetherimie-carbon fiber composites comprising,

• A. from 40% to 85% by weight of carbon fiber having a tensile strength of at least 100,000 psi at 25.degree. C., and an elastic modulus of at least 2.times.10.sup.6 psi at 25.degree. C. and,
• B. from 15% to 60% by weight of polyetherimide, having terminal nitro aromatic groups, consisting essentially of chemically combined units of the formula, ##STR8## where R is selected from the class consisting of, ##STR9## and (b) divalent organic radicals of the general formula, ##STR10## where X is a member selected from the class consisting of divalent radicals of the formulas, C.sub.n H.sub.2n --, ##STR11##
• ---- . and --S--, where m is 0 or 1, y is a whole number from 1-5, and R.sup.1 is a monovalent organo radical selecred from the class consistng of C.sub.( 1 -8) alkyl radicals, and organic radicals having from 6-20 carbon atoms, selected from the class consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon radicals and halogenated derivatives thereof.