The melting curve of ten metals up to 12 GPa and 1600 K

The melting curve of Mg, Mn, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, In, and Pb has been measured up to 12 GPa using a Bridgman-type cell. Melting at high-pressure was identified detecting discontinuities in the electrical resistance of the studied metals. The results are compared with previous experimental and theoretical studies when possible. A comparison with the Lindemann's law predictions is also done. In particular we found that among the studied metals Pb has the steepest melting curve (dT(M)/dP=78 K/GPa). In contrast, Mn has the flattest melting curve (dT(M)/dP=29 K/GPa). The reported results suggest that the electronic structure of an element might play a key role in determining the pressure dependence of its melting curve. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3468149]