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

Carbon foams were synthesized using an asphaltene pitch as a carbon precursor. The effects of foaming conditions and carbonization on the pore structures and physical properties of the carbon foams were investigated. Results indicate that the average pore size and density of as-synthesized carbon foams were about 150 μm and 800 kg/m3, respectively. The compressive strength of the carbon foam increased from 10 to 18.7 MPa after carbonization at 1323 K. The high ash content (41.76%) of the pitch plays an important role in determining the density and compressive strength of the carbon foams. [New Carbon Materials 2013, 28(2): 127–133]