Comparative Studies of Thermal Stability of Coal Tar Pitches

In the present work, three medium softening point coal tar pitches were used for comparative thermal stability and under-storage stability investigation. Powders of the pitches were found to be different under storage: one of the pitches was caked and slumped after 7-day or longer storage. For thermal stability investigation the soft temperature treatment (265 °С) of coal tar pitches was used. Detailed study of initial and treated pitches was carried out. Experimental results demonstrated that LMW-HC (high low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons) and oxygen content influence pitch quality characteristics in a negative way under long-term storage and lead to highest properties change after thermal stability treatment.