Melting Temperature

The solid - liquid phase transition
occurs at a given temperature under
conditions of constant pressure. The
temperature of this phase transition is
pressure dependent. If heat is removed
from the material at a constant rate, a
cooling curve with the form shown
opposite will result. The temperature
plateau corresponds to the melting
temperature, and persists as long as
two phases (liquid/solid) are present.

From a knowledge of the rate of lossof heat from the material at the melting temperature and the time, Dt, of the phase transition process, the heat of transformation may be determined.