Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polycarbonate (PC) were incorporated into the pitch with an objective to increase the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the pitch fibres (green) and to retain or to improve the mechanical properties of the carbonised fibres. It was found PMMA addition to the pitch increases the strength or flexibility of the green fibres but results in the formation of highly porous carbon fibres. The incorporation of PS and PC improves the tensile strength and tensile modulus both at the green and carbonised levels. The enhancement of mechanical properties is better in the case of carbon fibres derived from PC modified pitches. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.