A statistical two-level eight-run factorial design of experiment was used to evaluate the influence of various carbonisation parameters on the transport properties of the carbon membranes prepared from Kapton (R) 100HN polyimide. The effects of the carbonisation atmosphere, the final temperature, the heating rate and the thermal soak time at the final temperature on the permeation rates of He, CO2, O-2 and N-2 were examined. Statistically significant carbonisation parameters, including the main factors and the two-factor interactions of the selected factors, were studied by. analysing the probability values. The results indicate that the carbonisation temperature is the controlling parameter that will significantly affect the transport properties of the carbon membranes. The two-factor interactions also have some effects on the transport properties. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.