Graphite Melting at 'Low' Temperature

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the arc discharge between the graphite electrodes in an argon atmosphere at a pressure of 0.1–100 kPa. The discharge was ignited after the destruction of a graphite bar heated by a fixed electric current and maintained for ~103 s at a temperature of ~3 kK. Evidence of the formation of liquid phase on the surface of the graphite electrodes at a temperature of ~3.2 kK is presented. Data on the saturated carbon vapor pressure are discussed. The pressure in the carbon triple point does not exceed ~0.1 kPa.