Phase equilibria and capillary properties in the Co–Mn–C system

Experimental studies of phase equilibria in the Co–Mn–C system and construction of the system melting diagram at atmospheric pressure have allowed a comprehensive investigation of capillary phenomena at the Co–Mn growth medium–carbon material interface that occur due to variations of both the liquid phase composition and melting temperature (along the solid–liquid equilibrium line). It was shown that cobalt melts containing 10–14 at.% Mn might be recommended as growth media for diamond synthesis. Along with the relatively low p,T-parameters, the introduction of manganese in such quantities provides optimal synthesis conditions, i.e., the lowest energy at the crystal – growth medium interface with a rather high solubility of carbon in the melt.