Abstract: This invention relates to low melting solvated mesophase pitches which are suitable for spinning into carbon fibers. The solvated mesophase pitches have a lower melting point than conventional mesophase pitch but remain substantially anisotropic. The solvated mesophase can be produced as an intermediate during solvent fractionation or supercritical solvent fractionation of mesogen-containing isotropic pitches. The process is enhanced through the ability to recover pseudomesogens with an increased average molecular weight which, in combination with the solvent content, provides a fusible mesophase capable of being spun directly into infusible oriented anisotropic carbon fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to low melting solvated mesophase pitches which are suitable for spinning into carbon fibers. The solvated mesophase pitches have a lower melting point than conventional mesophase pitch but remain substantially anisotropic. The solvated mesophase can be produced as an intermediate during solvent fractionation or supercritical solvent fractionation of mesogen-containing isotropic pitches. The process is enhanced through the ability to recover pseudomesogens with an increased average molecular weight which, in combination with the solvent content, provides a fusible mesophase capable of being spun directly into infusible oriented anisotropic carbon fibers.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. A metal alkylaryl sulfonate is combined with a carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch, and the combination is heated for a period of time at an elevated temperature while passing a non-oxidative sparging gas such as nitrogen through the feedstock. The process is carried out for a sufficient period of time to produce an anisotropic pitch having from 50 to 100 percent by volume mesophase which is suitable for producing good quality carbon fibers.In one aspect of the invention, an oxidatively reactive gas is used as the sparging gas.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an anisotropic pitch product suitable for carbon fiber manufacture. A carbonaceous feedstock substantially free of mesophase pitch is heated for a period of time at an elevated temperature while passing an oxidatively reactive sparging gas such as a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen through the feedstock. The oxidatively treated feedstock is then subjected to a heat soak, for a longer period of time in the absence of a sparging gas. Thereafter the heat soaked feedstock is heated at an elevated temperature in the presence of a non-oxidative sparging gas for a time period equal to or less than the heat soak to produce an anisotropic pitch having from 50 to 100% by volume mesophase which is suitable for producing good quality carbon fibers.