Abstract: A brush, for use for example as an electrical pick-up, includes a brush portion composed of a bundle of metal coated carbon fibers arranged substantially in parallel. A base portion includes a region where the metal coated fibers have been bonded by diffusion via a hot pressing method, and at least one metallic piece bonded to the fiber bundle by diffusion by the same process. The brush of the invention has excellent durability and a conductivity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing activated carbon fibers is disclosed. The method is comprised of the steps of:(1) causing an acrylic fiber to contain therein a treating agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and boron compounds in a concentration of 0.01 to 0.3% by weight as phosphorus or boron based on the weight of the fiber;(2) preoxidizing the acrylic fiber in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature exceeding 200.degree. C. and giving a core ratio of 18% until the amount of bonded oxygen becomes not less than 15% by weight based on the weight of the fiber thereby producing a preoxidized fiber;(3) adjusting the concentration of the treating agent in the preoxidized fiber to a level in the range of 0.04 to 1% by weight based on the thus obtained preoxidized fiber; and(4) thereafter activating the fiber at a temperature in the range of 900.degree. to 1,300.degree. C. The resulting fiber has improved high strength, high adsorbing ability and high processibility.

Abstract: A fibrous activated carbon with a metal chelate compound supported thereon which is suitable for removal of toxic substances in gas. This activated carbon is obtained by attaching a solution or dispersion of the metal chelate compound onto the fibrous activated carbon followed by drying. Contacting the activated carbon with a toxic substance-containing gas provides very efficient removal of the toxic substance from the gas.

Abstract: A fibrous activated carbon having high adsorptivity and excellent mechanical properties is produced by preoxidizing an acrylonitrile-based fiber containing a specific amount of an iron compound at a specific initial heat-treatment temperature and then activating.