Solvated mesophase pitches

US5538621A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Conoco Inc. · US

Inventors

• Walter M. Kalback · Ponca City, US
• H. Ernest Romine · Ponca City, US
• Xavier Bourrat · Bordeaux, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 1994
• Grant date: Jul 23, 1996
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10C3/00
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

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.