The preparation process and sintering behavior of different binderless polyaromatic mesophase (BPAM) powders, obtained by extraction of a semicoke (product of pyrolysis of a petroleum residue) with different solvents, are described. Most of the mesophase is in the form of domains rather than in spherical shape. None of the solvents used completely separates mesophase from the isotropic matrix, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone being the most and diethylamine the less effective. The amount of extracted material and of solvent remains are important for the behavior of the sintered carbons obtained with BPAM, as they control the fusibility of the powders. If the strength of the solvent is low, compacts may swell, but if it is too high, compacts may have sintering problems. Thus, it has been possible to obtain graphitized compacts with high density (similar to1.90 gcm(-3)) and bending strength (100 MPa), even using a relatively large particle size (<60 mum) and uniaxial pressing. Heating rate and conforming pressure condition the sintering behavior of BPAM during high temperature heat treatment. The combination of high pressure and fast heating rate can retain light material inside the compacts, increasing the fusibility of the material and improving sintering between particles.