PURPOSE: To diffuse radiant heat to the entire part of a shaft body and prevent the early deterioration of the same caused by local overheat by forming a protective layer composed of fiber-reinforced plastics, in which fibers excellent in thermal conductivity are used as a base material, on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body composed of fiber-reinforced plastics.

CONSTITUTION: A shaft member, e.g. a propeller shaft for vehicles comprises a hollow shaft body 1 and yokes 3 fixed to both ends thereof. In this case, a protective layer 5 composed of fiber-reinforced plastics, in which fibers 6 excellent in thermal conductivity are used as a base material, is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 1 composed of fiber-reinforced plastics. In this way, heat applied to the shaft member from an exhaust pipe and the like is diffused to the entire part of the shaft member through the fibers 6, thereby preventing the early deterioration of the same caused by local overheat. Furthermore, for example, by winding the fibers 6 in an axial direction or in a slightly inclined direction with respect to the axis, flexural rigidity of the shaft member is enchanced, and the number of critical revolutions of the shaft member is increased. Accordingly, the weight of the shaft member can be lightened, and the miniaturization of the same can be achieved.