Physical characteristics of baked carbon mixes employing coal tar and petroleum pitches

Abstract

A study of the physical characteristics of baked carbon mixes employing coal tar and petroleum pitches as the binder has been made to explore their relative suitability in the fabrication of carbon products. The study reveals that coal tar pitch is the most suitable binder and a petroleum pitch of the same softening point leads to a carbon product of much inferior characteristics. Raising the softening point of the petroleum pitch from 78 to 150° C or adding 10 parts of carbon black in the lower softening point pitch, increases the density, strength and also the electrical resistivity of the baked carbons. The addition of 10 parts of carbon black to the higher softening point petroleum pitch leads to a carbon product with further improved values of density and strength, which are comparable to those obtained with the coal tar pitch. However, the electrical resistivity also is marginally increased. It appears that a petroleum pitch of high aromaticity may fulfill the requirements expected of a good binder.