Abstract: An improved process for producing pitch which is transformed, in part, to a liquid crystal or so-called "mesophase" state. According to the process, the mesophase content of the pitch is formed while agitating the pitch so as to produce a homogeneous emulsion of the immiscible mesophase and non-mesophase portions of the pitch. Mesophase pitches prepared in this manner have been found to possess a lesser amount of high molecular weight molecules in the mesophase portion of the pitch and a lesser amount of low molecular weight molecules in the non-mesophase portion of the pitch, and thus a smaller differential between the average molecular weights of the mesophase and non-mesophase portions of the pitch, than mesophase pitches having the same mesophase content which have been prepared in the absence of such agitation.

Abstract: High modulus, high strength carbon fibers, having a highly oriented structure characterized by the presence of carbon crystallites preferentially aligned parallel to the fiber axis, are produced from carbonaceous pitches which have been transformed, in part, to a liquid crystal or so-called "mesophase" state. When heated to graphitizing temperatures, these fibers develop the three-dimensional order characteristic of polycrystalline graphite.

Abstract: Mesophase pitches wherein the planes of the mesophase portions of the pitch are substantially aligned in a single parallel direction, and the c-axes of said planes are substantially aligned in a single parallel direction, are produced by subjecting a mesophase pitch in its molten state to rotational motion relative to a surrounding magnetic field about an axis perpendicular to the direction of that field.

Abstract: An improved process for producing carbon fibers from pitch which has been transformed, in part, to a liquid crystal or so-called "mesophase" state. According to the process, carbon fibers are produced from pitch wherein the mesophase content of the pitch has been formed while agitating the pitch so as to produce a homogeneous emulsion of the immiscible mesophase and non-mesophase portions of the pitch. Mesophase pitches prepared in this manner have been found to possess a lesser amount of high molecular weight molecules in the mesophase portion of the pitch and a lesser amount of low molecular weight molecules in the non-mesophase portion of the pitch, and thus a smaller differential between the average molecular weights of the mesophase and non-mesophase portions of the pitch, than mesophase pitches having the same mesophase content which have been prepared in the absence of such agitation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.