Studies on the preparation process and properties of zirconium-containing pitch

Fine grain zirconium containing pitch was prepared by the chemical reaction of zirconium chloride with coal tar pitch having a softening point of 68?℃. The effects of the amount of ZrCl_4, reaction time on softening point and dissolved fractions in toluene, pyridine and quinoline were investigated as preliminary work for the formation of zirconium/carbon composites. Based on dissolving experiments and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), the physical and chemical forms of zirconium in pitch were deduced. Possible applications of zirconium containing pitch as an impregnating agent and binder for zirconium/carbon composites were suggested.