Chopped carbon fiber preform processing method using coal tar pitch binder

1 . A method of making a carbonized preform:

placing a removable inside sleeve and a removable outside sleeve on a mold pan;

distributing chopped carbon throughout the mold pan and sleeves;

pressing the chopped fibers with a pressing plate;

removing the inside and outside sleeves;

sealing a vacuum/pressure chamber to the mold pan and applying a vacuum thereto;

introducing liquid coal tar pitch into the mold pan;

pressurizing the vacuum/pressure chamber with nitrogen;

releasing the pressure and removing the vacuum pressure chamber;

allowing the mold pan to cool; and

removing the pressing plate and carbonized preform.

2 . A carbonized preform made utilizing the steps of claim 1 .

3 . A method of making a carbonized preform:

placing a removable inside sleeve and a removable outside sleeve on a mold pan;

distributing a mixture including milled high softening point coal tar pitch and chopped carbon fibers in the mold pan and sleeves;

pressing the chopped fibers with a pressing plate;

removing the inside and outside sleeves;

baking the mixture in the pan mold;

allowing the mold pan to cool; and

removing the pressing plate and carbonized preform from the mold pan.

4 . The method of claim 3 further comprising using a preform removal fixture to remove the preform from the mold pan

5 . A carbonized preform made utilizing the steps of claim 3.