Abstract:
The present invention provides a spherical carbon material in the form of isotropic particles which undergoes a considerably less change in shape even after subjected to carbonization or graphitization, and has a good crystal growth property. The present invention relates to a raw coke spherical carbon material in which an average of a plane-direction sphericity and an elevation-direction sphericity of particles of the spherical carbon material as measured in plane and elevation directions of particles of the spherical carbon material, respectively, by observation using a scanning electron microscope is not less than 60%, and a shape retention rate of the spherical carbon material after being heated at 1200° C. for 5 hr and then at 2800° C. for 3 hr is not less than 70%; a process for producing the above raw coke spherical carbon material, comprising the step of applying a compression shear stress to raw coke particles comprising particles having a particle diameter that is not more than 1/3 of an average particle diameter (D50) thereof in an amount of not less than 5% to subject the raw coke particles to dry granulation sphericalization treatment; a carbonaceous spherical carbon material obtained by carbonizing the above raw coke spherical carbon material and a process for producing the carbonaceous spherical carbon material; and a graphite spherical carbon material obtained by graphitizing the above raw coke spherical carbon material and a process for producing the graphite spherical carbon material.