Effect of furan resin on the rheological properties of coal tar pitch

The effect of furan resin on the rheological properties of coal tar pitches was studied. The apparent viscosity of the parent coal tar pitch and coal tar pitches blended with furan resin were determined using a rotating coaxial-cylinder viscometer. The properties of different coal tar pitches, such as apparent viscosity, softening point and carbon yield, were also investigated. Moreover, the coal tar pitches were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the softening point of coal tar pitch blended with 3.6-9.0 w/% furan resin is 5-15°C lower than that of the parent coal tar pitch while the carbon yield remain unchanged. SEM observation reveals that the molecules of the coal tar pitch are segregated by furan resin, causing better flow properties. As a result, the viscous flow activation energy (E_a) of the coal tar pitches is reduced, which is beneficial to the process for producing carbon materials over a wide temperature range.