CELLULAR COAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES

A porous coal-based material (10A) is provided having a density of between about 0.1 gram per cubic centimeter and about 0.6 gram per cubic centimeter produced by the controlled heating of small coal particulate (10) in a "mold" (12) and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The porous product (10A) thereby produced, preferably as a near net shape, can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products, or used in its preformed shape (10A) as a filter, heat or electrical insulator etc. These said porous products (10A), without further treatment exhibit compressive strengths of up to about 6000 psi. Further treatment by carbonization or graphitization of said porous products (10A) yield products that can be used as electrical or heat conductors. Methods for the production of these said coal-based cellular products (10A).