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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C. (480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C.(480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the volume of lubricating oil base stocks recovered from a crude oil. A fraction having an atmospheric boiling range of about 675.degree. to 1100.degree. F. is recovered by vacuum distillation. This fraction is treated with furfural to extract a hydrocarbon mixture containing at least 50 volume % aromatic hydrocarbons. The raffinate is a lubricating oil base stock very high in paraffinic hydrocarbons and low in naphthenic hydrocarbons. The fraction extracted by the furfural contains at least about 50 volume % aromatic hydrocarbons and less than about 10 volume % paraffinic hydrocarbons. The mixture is hydrotreated to hydrogenate a substantial portion of the aromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrotreated product then is catalytically dewaxed. After removal of low boiling components, the finished lubricating oil base stock has a viscosity of at least about 200 SUS at 100.degree. F., a pour point of less than 20.degree. F.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved pitch for making readily stabilizable, substantially nonmesophasic carbon fibers. The pitch has a softening point of about 250.degree. C. (480.degree. F.) or above and is produced from an unoxidized thermal petroleum pitch by selectively reducing or eliminating a portion of the low molecular weight materials in a very short period of time so that the tendency to produce mesophase pitch is eliminated or reduced and so that the chemical integrity of the components of the higher molecular weight fractions is preserved as much as possible. Also disclosed is a method of producing carbon fibers therefrom and rovings or mats from such fibers.