Chopped carbon fiber preform processing method using coal tar pitch binder

Abstract

A procedure for forming a chopped carbon fiber preform using a coal tar pitch binder and the product thereof.

1 . A method of making a carbonized preform: 
 placing a removable inside sleeve and a removable outside sleeve on a mold pan;    distributing chopped carbon throughout the mold pan and sleeves;    pressing the chopped fibers with a pressing plate;    removing the inside and outside sleeves;    sealing a vacuum/pressure chamber to the mold pan and applying a vacuum thereto;    introducing liquid coal tar pitch into the mold pan;    pressurizing the vacuum/pressure chamber with nitrogen;    releasing the pressure and removing the vacuum pressure chamber;    allowing the mold pan to cool; and    removing the pressing plate and carbonized preform.    
     
     
         2 . A carbonized preform made utilizing the steps of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A method of making a carbonized preform: 
 placing a removable inside sleeve and a removable outside sleeve on a mold pan;    distributing a mixture including milled high softening point coal tar pitch and chopped carbon fibers in the mold pan and sleeves;    pressing the chopped fibers with a pressing plate;    removing the inside and outside sleeves;    baking the mixture in the pan mold;    allowing the mold pan to cool; and    removing the pressing plate and carbonized preform from the mold pan.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising using a preform removal fixture to remove the preform from the mold pan  
     
     
         5 . A carbonized preform made utilizing the steps of  claim 3.