Effects of vacuum thermal cycling on mechanical and physical properties of high performance carbon/bismaleimide composite

► The level of cross-links was improved to a certain extent. ► The thermal stability was firstly improved and then decreased. ► The transverse and longitudinal CTE were both determined by the degree of interfacial debonding. ► The mass loss ratio increases firstly and then reaches a plateau value. ► The surface morphology was altered and the surface roughness increased firstly and then decreased. ► The transverse tensile strength was reduced. ► The flexural strength increased firstly and then decreased to a plateau value. ► The ILSS increased firstly and then decreased to a plateau value.