In the present study, carbon molded bodies were prepared by using graphite/coke fillers and petroleum-based binder pitch with various softening points, and the thermal properties of the prepared carbon molded bodies were investigated. The ratio of a binder affects the molded body preparation: no molded body was prepared at a low binder pitch content, and swelling occurred during the thermal treatment at a high binder pitch content. The binder pitch thermal treatment yield was the highest at 41 wt% at the softening point of 150 °C and the lowest at 23 wt% at the softening point of 78 °C. A significant mass reduction was found in the range of 150 to 300 °C in the petroleum-based binder pitch, and in the range of 300 to 475 °C in the coal-based binder pitch. The molecular weight of the binder pitch was analyzed through the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) method. The molecular weight ratio within the interval showing the highest binder pitch molecular weight (178 to 712 m/z) was the highest at 66.4% in the coal-based binder pitch (softening point 115 °C) and the lowest at 46.0% in the petroleum-based binder pitch (softening point 116 °C). When the petroleumbased binder pitch was applied, as the softening point was increased, the voids decreased and thus the thermal conductivity increased. The highest thermal conductivity was 99.5 W/mK for the carbon molded bodies prepared using the coal-based binder pitch and 102.8 W/mK for those prepared by using the petroleum-based binder pitch. The results showed that the thermal properties were similar between the coal-based binder pitch (softening point 115 °C) and the petroleum-based binder pitch (softening point 150 °C).

    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Process
        2.3 Characterization
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Green blocks
        3.2 Binder pitch
        3.3 Thermal conductivity
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Jong Hoon Cho(Carbon Industry Frontier Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University)
• Ji Sun Im(Carbon Industry Frontier Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST))
• Min Il Kim(Carbon Industry Frontier Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT))
• Young‑Seak Lee(Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University)
• Byong Chol Bai(Korea Institute of Convergence Textile)