1. The process for coating graphite with an adherent, continuous layer of metallic carbide comprising the steps of disposing a quantity of a refractory, carbide forming metal to be carburized in a contiguous, generally spaced relation with a smooth graphite surface, said spacing being sufficient to permit flow of a gas between said surface and said metal, enclosing said assembly with a nonreacting gaseous atmosphere containing methane, heating said assembly to a temperature above the decomposition point of said methane and slightly above the softening point of said metal, whereby a quantity of said methane undergoes pyrolysis and deposits carbon on said graphite and said metallic surfaces, and quickly raising the temperature of said assembly to a point at which carburization occurs.