Raw material pitch for carbon fiber production

Abstract

A raw material pitch for carbon fiber production, with which carbon fiber excellent in tensile strength can be produced at relatively low costs, is provided. The raw material pitch is obtained from coal, is a pitch for producing carbon fiber by melt spinning, and contains oxygen in a content of 1.0% by mass or more and a toluene-soluble component in a content of 20% by mass or more. The coal is preferably bituminous coal or sub-bituminous coal. The raw material pitch is preferably prepared by subjecting a solvent-soluble component separated from a thermal decomposition product of coal in a solvent by a solvent extraction treatment at a temperature of less than 300° C. to a heat treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or more.

1 : A raw material pitch, comprising
 oxygen in a content of 1.0% by mass or more and   a toluene-soluble component in a content of 20% by mass or more,   wherein the raw material pitch is obtained from coal and is suitable for producing carbon fiber by melt spinning.   
     
     
         2 : The raw material pitch according to  claim 1 , wherein the coal is bituminous coal or sub-bituminous coal. 
     
     
         3 : The raw material pitch according to  claim 1 , which is prepared by a process comprising
 subjecting a solvent-soluble component separated from a thermal decomposition product of coal in a solvent by a solvent extraction treatment at a temperature of less than 300° C. to a heat treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or more.   
     
     
         4 : The raw material pitch according to  claim 2 , which is prepared by a process comprising
 subjecting a solvent-soluble component separated from a thermal decomposition produce of coal in a solvent by a solvent extraction treatment at a temperature of less than 300° C. to a heat treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or more.