Hottest Spot

For a temperature which can be sustained and measured, the positive pole of a carbon arc is the hottest place on Earth. Three Cleveland electrochemists who spend their time studying carbon have established this record temperature at close to 6,687DEG F.

Last week Drs. Newcomb Kinney Chancy, Victor Carl Hamister and Stanley Warren Glass of National Carbon Co. recapitulated their recent experiments and reports for the Electrochemical Society convened in New Orleans. For nearly a century there has been controversy over whether carbon was liquefied in the heat of the arc. The Cleveland chemists showed conclusively that the carbon does not liquefy but sublimes directly from a solid to a vapor as dry ice does. The sublimation point is a fundamental constant of the element and represents the maximum arc temperature. Determining this constant within narrow limits provides, according to Dr. Chaney, "a convenient and much needed bench mark for all high temperature measurements." It is of help especially to makers of abrasives, artificial gems, fine tools, fine steel for armor plate.

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