Abstract: Carbon powders are homogeneous powders derived from mesophase pitch. Additive Manufacturing (AM) use these powders in two basic classes of AM to produce manufactured articles: 1) Low temperature 3D printers suitable for plastics, polymers, binders and resins, and 2) High temperature 3D printers suitable for direct 3D metal-fusion printing. There are three categories of carbon powders used for AM: a) Powders derived directly from mesophase carbon pitches with a low melting point. These powders can be printed, without binders; b) Carbon powders, that blend with polymers, binders or resins of similar melting temperatures; and c) Carbon powders that have been graphitized and/or carbonized, that can sustain their form above 3000 ° C. and are compounded with metal or ceramic matrix powders, which can be printed in high temperature environment 3D printers.

Abstract: Producing of near net shape carbon (optionally carbon--carbon composite) pistons and other artifacts by sintering (with or without carbon fibers, preferably pitch-based carbon fibers and most preferably blends of vapor grown carbon fibers(VGCF)) homogeneous powders derived from petroleum pitch. The powders preferably exhibit properties equal to or exceeding those of POCO AXF-5Q. Preferred specific technical steps are substantially as follows:1. Individually prepare, by evaporation, heat treating and/or oxidizing of carbon-containing pitches, followed by oxidizing, comminuting and/or spray drying, to produce sinterable pitch powders (and optionally create uniform dryblends of pitch powder with various fractions of vapor-grown or other carbon fiber.)2. Produce near net shape carbon--carbon artifacts, such as cup shapes which are convertible to internal-combustion (i-c) pistons with minimal machining, by pressing or injecting into molds, then sintering and carbonizing. Both uniaxially (e.g.