In this paper, self-sinterability of MCMB derived from a refined petroleum residue was studied in detail. Green pieces were prepared from the MCMB by hot pressing and further heat treatment in the range of 300degreesC to 1100degreesC under argon atmosphere. The properties of carbon blocks such as weight loss, volume shrinkage, conductivity during heat-treatment were measured after each step. Thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA) of green pieces with different beta resin content as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) morphology of fracture surfaces of carbon blocks were also determined. From the results above, it is indicated that below 1100degreesC the process of carbonization shows two distinct stages: plastic sintering below 550degreesC and solid carbonization at higher temperature than 550degreesC. Different reactions took place in the interior of the carbon blocks during the two different stages, of which the plastic sintering stage was more important to the properties of carbon blocks. Accordingly, the model of self-sinterability of MCMB during heat treatment was proposed. (C) 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers.