Mesophase pitch rheological properties

As outlined earlier, the rheological properties of pitch and mesophase pitch are important in the processing of these materials to carbon products. The rheology of isotropic pitch will be considered briefly and then the effects of pyrolysis to mesophase will be described. 

Mesophase Pitch. Mesophase pitch is a generic term for those products of pyrolysis that contain mesophase, or are entirely mesophase, but which on reheating still pass through a fluid phase prior to the formation of semi-coke. The following are areas of scientific or industrial interest where the rheological properties of mesophase pitch are of interest. ... 

Fibre manufacture - The conditions for spinning of fibres from mesophase pitch are determined by the pitch rheology which may also influence the degree of preferred orientation. The rheological properties of the spun fibres are important in defining the conditions for thermosetting. 

Figure 4.29 The dependency of viscosity on temperature for several isotropic pitches, a mesophase pitch and a typical thermoplastic polymer Ashland 240 (isotropic petroleum pitch) Aerocarb 60 (isotropic pitch distilled from A240) Aerocarb 75 (isotropic pitch distilled from A240) Source. Sumner MB, Thermal properties of heavy isotropic petroleum pitches. Carbon 88, Proceedings of the International Conference on Carbon, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 52-54, Sep 18-23,1988, Mesophase (produced by pyrolysis of A240) Nylon 6 (a typical melt spur synthetic polymer). Source Reprinted from Whitehouse S, Rand B, Rheology of mesophase pitch from A240. Carbon 88, Proceedings of the International Conference on Carbon, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 175-176, Sep 18-23, 1988.

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