Abstract: Connecting pieces for carbon material electrodes include carbon fibers. The fibers are oxidatively activated carbon fibers which additionally have a carbonized coating. The carbonized coating is a carbonization product of a coating material selected from wax, pitch, natural resins, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an article of a high-density carbon. To produce an un-fired compact, binderless, self-sintering, fine-grained carbon powder, particularly carbon mesophases, with a powder density of more than 1 g/cm.sup.3, particularly more than 1.4 m/cm.sup.3, and an average grain size of between 5 and 20 .mu.m, is precompacted at a low pressure and is pressed in a mold to at a pressure of between 50 and 150 MPa, particularly at approximately 100 MPa. After pressing, the contact pressure is slowly lowered. Then, the un-fired compact is carbonized in a temperature gradient of maximally 20 K/min. The temperature is held constant at a holding temperature of between 500 and 700.degree. C. for a defined holding time and is subsequently raised to a maximal temperature of between 800 and 1,200.degree. C., particularly approximately 1,000.degree. C. Finally, the carbonized compact is graphitized at an end temperature of between 2,500-3,000.degree. C.

Abstract: New ferrocene derivatives with the general formula: ##STR1## are described with X=H or OHY=H or CH.sub.2 0HZ=(CH2).sub.s --CH.sub.2 OHR=straight-chain or branched alkyl residue with 2 to 6 C atomsr=0 to 8, preferably 0 to 2s=0 to 8, preferably 1 and 2These ferrocene derivatives are best suited as burning rate modifiers in posite solid propellants for rocket engines and gas generators.