On the Melting of Iron after Shock Compression

Based on experimental data on isentropic unloading of shock-compressed iron into various barriers, the value of the shock pressure causing its melting during isentropic unloading up to 1 atm is determined. The applicability of the approach is verified by comparing the results with available experimental melting data for copper and molybdenum. The value obtained for iron, 170 \( \pm \) 30 GPa, is generally consistent with earlier data (140 and 200 GPa). The calculated values based on semiempirical equations of state are compared with this value.