In this paper, argon arc plasma is chosen as an example to study the absorption characteristics of arc plasma in the infrared region. Firstly, the phase and the attenuation constants are deduced for the given temperature, pressure and probe wavelength regions. Based on those constants, the dependence of the attenuation constant on the temperature and pressure in the vicinity of a certain probe wavelength is found. Then, theoretical analysis and discussion are conducted. Maximal absorption occurs at the position where the contributions of neutral particles and electrons come to a balance in a physical point of view, which may provide some measures to take for decreasing or controlling the plasma absorption of electromagnetic waves.