Five kinds of fluorene-based polyimides (Pls) based on 4,4'-oxydiphthalicanhydride (ODPA), 9,9'-bis(4-aminophenyl) fluorene (BAFL), and 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether (3,4'-ODA) were synthesized through two-step method. The partially or fully imidized Pl films were cast from poly( amic acid) (PAA) solution and were imidized by farinfrared radiation at various temperatures. The degree of imidization was characterized by FT-IR and TGA. The fully imidized Pl films were characterized by DMTA, TGA, and tensile tests. The partially imidized Pl films were adhered to stainless steel plates for preparing the single lap joints. Lap shear strength (LSS) at room temperature was measured to compare the adhesive strength of single lap joint. Fractured surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of fluorene content on thermal, tensile, and adhesion properties of Pls were elaborately studied. The results showed that Pl films exhibited high glass transition temperature (T(g)), good thermalplasticity, and thermal stability. The LSS of Pls increased abruptly with the incorporation of fluorene groups. The LSS of Pl-50/50 was the highest, which was 22.3 MPa. The LSS of Pl-50/50 was also measured at high temperature to investigate the thermal resistance of fluorene-based Pl adhesive. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51: 1533-1540, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers