Synthesis of carbon foam with high compressive strength from an asphaltite pitch

Carbon foams were synthesized using an asphaltite pitch as a carbon precursor. The effects of foaming conditions and carbonization on the pore structures and physical properties of carbon foams were investigated. Results indicate that the average pore size and density of as-synthesized carbon foams were about 150 mu m and 800 kg/m(3), respectively. The compressive strength of the carbon foam increased from 10 to 18.7 MPa after carbonization at 1323 K. The high ash content of (41.76%) the pitch plays an important role on the density and compressive strength of carbon foams.