Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A process for producing a homogeneous, optically anisotropic carbonaceous pitch useful for the production of carbon materials, characterized by the steps of thermally cracking and polycondensing a starting oil obtained from petroleum or coal, said starting oil comprising a substantially chloroform-insoluble matter-free oily or tarry substance including a mixture of compounds consisting mainly of carbon and hydrogen having a boiling point of main components in the approximate range of 250 to 540°C and containing n-heptane-soluble aromatic oil and resin as the main components, each of which has an aromatic carbon fraction of at least 0.6, preferably at least 0.7, a number-average molecular weight of up to 1000 and a maximum molecular weight of up to 2000.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for producing a homogeneous, optically anisotropic carbonaceous pitch useful for the production of carbon materials, characterized by the steps of thermally cracking and polycondensing a starting oil obtained from petroleum or coal, said starting oil comprising a substantially chloroform-insoluble matter-free oily or tarry substance including a mixture of compounds consisting mainly of carbon and hydrogen having a boiling point of main components in the approximate range of 250 to 540°C and containing n-heptane-soluble aromatic oil and resin as the main components, each of which has an aromatic carbon fraction of at least 0.6, preferably at least 0.7, a number-average molecular weight of up to 1000 and a maximum molecular weight of up to 2000.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the aromatic oil and resin have a number-average molecular weight of up to 750, preferably in the range 250 to 750, and a maximum molecular weight of up to 1,500.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the thermal cracking and polycondensation steps are carried out at a temperature in the range 380 to 460°C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the starting oil further contains asphaltene as a n-heptane-insoluble component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein asphaltene has an aromatic carbon fraction of at least 0.6, a number-average molecular weight of up to 1000 and a maximum molecular weight of up to 2000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein the aromatic oil, resin and asphaltene each have an aromatic carbon fraction of at least 0.7.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the aromatic oil, resin and asphaltene has a number-average molecular weight of up to 750, preferably 250 to 750, and a maximum molecular weight of up to 1500.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the optically anisotropic, carbonaceous pitch has a softening point in the approximate range of 230-320°C and an optically anisotropic phase content of approximately 90-100%.