A method of making the saturated aircraft brake preform using a coal tar pitch having a softening point in the range of about 160.degree. C. to 240.degree. C. Also, a product having natural rubber in the formulation and the method of making the product using a coal tar pitch having a softening point in the range of about 140.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. A mesophase pitch is formed from quinoline insoluble free coal tar pitch distillate from a high efficiency evaporative distillation process.