Maximal edge colorings of graphs

Abstract

For a graph $G$ of order $n$ a maximal edge coloring is a proper edge coloring with $\chi'(K_n)$ colors such that adding any edge to $G$ in any color makes it improper. Meszka and Tyniec proved that for some values of the number of edges there are no graphs with a maximal edge coloring, while for some other values, they provided constructions of such graphs. However, for many values of the number of edges determining whether there exists any graph with a maximal edge coloring remained open. We give a complete solution of this problem.