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 $\sim10^3$ s at a temperature of $\sim3$ kK. Evidence of the formation of liquid phase on the surface of the graphite electrodes at a temperature of $\sim3.2$ kK is presented. Data on the saturated carbon vapor pressure are discussed. The pressure in the carbon triple point does not exceed $\sim0.1$ kPa.