Rheological investigation of coal-tar pitch during its transformation to mesophase

Abstract

Rheological characteristics of two coal-tar pitches, during their transformation to mesophase, have been followed by rotational viscometry. In certain instances samples were also taken, enabling the mesophase microstructure to be correlated with the flow behaviour. Flow curves established that the pitches are Newtonian liquids at low temperatures, but non-Newtonian character appears at temperatures above 380 °C. Scanning the viscosity-temperature curve of a binder pitch showed that the viscosity began to change, as a result of polymerization processes, at about 240 °C. In both pitches the apparent viscosity, at all rates of shear, increased very rapidly at temperatures above 420 °C when the mesophase content was in excess of 25%. Shear-thinning behaviour was apparent and a peak in the apparent viscosity-temperature curves appeared at all the rates of shear investigated. It is suggested that the systems can be regarded as emulsions. Initially an emulsion of mesophase in isotropic liquid exists but this transforms, at higher temperatures, to one of isotropic liquid in mesophase. The maximum in the apparent viscosity appears to correspond to the phase inversion point.