What Are Melting Points of Metals: Everything You Need to Know

In this post I am going to show you the melting points of metals and alloys.

Metals are lustrous, opaque elements that serve as a great conductor of electricity and heat.

These elements make up for a critical part of our lives with a range of applications such as transportation, aerospace, food processing, biomedical applications, and more, .

So, this wide range of applications requires the manufacturers to know the melting points of metals to be able to mold into any shape as desired.

What is the Melting Point of Metals?

A metal’s melting point is the accurate temperature or the temperature range from solid-state to a liquid state.

Depending on the bond and elemental constituents, the melting point of metal can be affixed at one single temperature or vary between a certain range.

So, a metal’s melting point can also be termed as solidus, liquefaction point, as well as liquids.

Any metal’s melting point is dependent on the pressure applied& is generally specific when metered at standard pressure.

Now, the melting point of any metal or alloy is the exact temperature at which it starts to melt and transforms from its solid phase transitioning into the liquid one.

When the metal achieves its melting point, the liquid phase, as well as solid-phase, exists in perfect equilibrium.

After this temperature has been achieved, manufacturers can add continuous heat to the mix; however, the overall temperature won’t go beyond this limit. After the metal has completely liquefied, additional heat added with raise the temperature to turn it into any other state of existence depending on its chemical composition.

Why is the Melting Temperature of Metal Important?

Understanding the melting point or melting temperature of any metal is critical to the production process.

Depending on its real-time application, the knowledge of metal’s melting point comes in handy to ensure perfect functionality.

Here are some reasons that justify that the melting temperature of the metal is important:

1. Easy failure point detection of metals:

Being aware of the exact melting point of the metals helps decode the failure point of any metallic component that works under high temperature or pressure.

2. Tackle any clogging issues:

It can lead to clogging of the machinery when a metal component or machine part melts.

With the knowledge of the exact melting point, one can prevent any clogging due to metal melting that might happen to any component.

3. Avoid breakage of machine parts:

When a metal part undergoes intense or accidental stress, it might be prone to creep-induced part fractures that can be avoided by knowing the exact melting point of the same metal.

4. Create a desired shape:

With the knowledge of the melting point of a metal, one can easily give the same a required shape or size depending on the needs.

5. Streamlined procedure implementation:

Metal machinery undergoes various processes such as fusion welding, casting, smelting, and more when manufactured, . With the melting point know, these processes become streamlined and glitch-free.

6. Better transportation and storage:

it might have to endure a range of pressure derivatives and high-temperature changes when transporting or storing a metal, .

SWith the exact melting point in mind, one can help put in place methods that maintain a constant temperature or pressure during transportation or storage.

7. Prediction of metal behavior

Yet, the metal is in a solid-state, a metal component might behave differently than its gaseous or solid-state.

So, you know the knowledge of metal melting point, you can predict the point after which a metal behavior tends to change and prepare accordingly.

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Hastelloy alloy

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Melting Temperatures of Metals in Fahrenheit & Celsius

These are the melting temperatures of common metals:

• Actinium: 1050°C (1922°F)
• Admiralty: Brass 900 – 940°C (1650 – 1720°F)
• Aluminum Alloys: 463 – 671°C (865 – 1240°F)
• Aluminum Bronze: 600 – 655°C (1190 – 1215°F)
• Pure Aluminum: 660 or 658°C (1220 or 1218°F)
• Americium: 1176°C (2149°F)
• Antimony: 630°C (1166°F)
• Argon: -189.35°C (-308.83°F)
• Arsenic: 817°C (1503°F)
• Astatine: 302°C (576°F)
• Babbitt: 249°C (480°F)
• Barium: 727°C (1341°F)
• Berkelium: 986°C (1807°F)
• Beryllium: 1285°C (2345°F)
• Beryllium Copper: 865 – 955°C (1587 – 1750°F)
• Bismuth: 271.4°C (520.5°F)
• Boron: 2076°C (3769°F)
• Red Brass: 990-1025°C (1832 or 1810-1880°F)
• Yellow Brass: 905-932°C (1710 or 1660-1710°F)
• Brass: 930°C (1710°F)
• Bromine: -7.2°C (19°F)
• Bronze: 913°C (1675°F)
• Cadmium: 321°C (610°F)
• Calcium: 842°C (1548°F)
• Californium: 900°C (1652°F)
• Carbon (graphite): >3527°C (>6381°F)
• Carbon Steel: 1425 – 1540°C (2600 – 2800°F)
• Cerium: 795°C (1463°F)
• Cesium: 28.44°C (83.19°F)
• Chlorine: -101.5°C (-150.7°F)
• Chromium: 1860°C (3380°F)
• Cobalt: 1495°C (2723°F)
• Copper: 1084°C (1983°F)
• Cupronickel: 1170 – 1240°C (2138 – 2264°F)
• Curium: 1340°C (2444°F)
• Dysprosium: 1407°C (2565°F)
• Einsteinium: 860°C (1580°F)
• Erbium: 1529°C (2784°F)
• Europium: 826°C (1519°F)
• Fermium: 1527°C (2781°F)
• Fluorine: -219.62°C (-363.32°F)
• Francium: 27 (approx.)°C (80 (approx.)°F)
• Gadolinium: 1312°C (2394°F)
• Gallium: 29.7646°C (85.5763°F)
• Germanium: 938.25°C (1720.85°F)
• Gold, 24K Pure: 1063°C (1945°F)
• Hafnium: 2233°C (4051°F)
• Hastelloy C: 1320 – 1350°C (2410 – 2460°F)
• Helium (@ 2.5 MPa): -272.20°C (-457.96°F)
• Holmium: 1461°C (2662°F)
• Hydrogen: -259.14°C (-434.45°F)
• Incoloy:1390 – 1425°C (2540 – 2600°F)
• Inconel: 1390 – 1425°C (2540 – 2600°F)
• Indium: 156.5985°C (313.8773°F)
• Iodine: 113.7 °C (236.66°F)
• Iridium: 2450°C (4442°F)
• Iron: 1538°C (2800°F)
• Krypton: -157.36°C (-251.25°F)
• Lanthanum: 920°C (1688°F)
• Lead: 327.5°C (621°F)
• Lithium: 180.54°C (356.97°F)
• Lutetium: 1652°C (3006°F)
• Magnesium: 650°C (1200°F)
• Magnesium Alloy: 349 – 649°C (660 – 1200°F)
• Manganese: 1244°C (2271°F)
• Manganese bronze: 865 – 890°C (1590 – 1630°F)
• Mendelevium: 827°C (1521°F)
• Mercury: -38.86°C (-37.95°F)
• Molybdenum: 2620°C (4750°F)
• Monel: 1300 – 1350°C (2370 – 2460°F)
• Neodymium: 1024°C (1875°F)
• Neon: -248.59°C (-415.46°F)
• Neptunium: 637°C (1179°F)
• Nickel: 1453°C (2647°F)
• Niobium: 2477°C (4491°F)
• Niobium (Columbium): 2470°C (4473°F)
• Nitrogen: -210.00°C (-346.00°F)
• Osmium: 3025°C (5477°F)
• Oxygen: -218.79°C (-361.82°F)
• Palladium: 1555°C (2831°F)
• Phosphorus (white): 44.2°C (111.6°F)
• Platinum: 1768.3°C (3214.9°F)
• Plutonium: 640°C (1184°F)
• Polonium: 254°C (489°F)
• Potassium: 63.38°C (146.08°F)
• Praseodymium: 935°C (1715°F)
• Promethium: 1042°C (1908°F)
• Protactinium: 1568°C (2854°F)
• Radium: 700°C (1292°F)
• Radon: −71.15°C (−96°F)
• Red Brass: 990 – 1025°C (1810 – 1880°F)
• Rhenium: 3186°C (5767°F)
• Rhodium: 1964°C (3567°F)
• Rubidium: 39.31°C (102.76°F)
• Ruthenium: 2482°C (4500°F)
• Samarium: 1072°C (1962°F)
• Scandium: 1541°C (2806°F)
• Selenium: 217°C (423°F)
• Silicon: 1411°C (2572°F)
• Pure Silver: 961.78°C (1763.2°F)
• Coin Silver: 879°C (1614°F)
• Sterling Silver: 893°C (1640°F)
• Sodium: 97.83°C (208°F)
• Solder: (50 – 50) 215°C (419°F)
• Stainless Steel: 1510°C (2750°F)
• Strontium: 777°C (1431°F)
• Sulfur: 115.21°C (239.38°F)
• Tantalum: 2980°C (5400°F)
• Technetium: 2157°C (3915°F)
• Tellurium: 449.51°C (841.12°F)
• Terbium: 1356°C (2473°F)
• Thallium: 304°C (579°F)
• Thorium: 1842°C (3348°F)
• Thulium: 1545°C (2813°F)
• Tin: 232°C (449.4°F)
• Titanium: 1670°C (3040°F)
• Tungsten: 3400°C (6150°F)
• Uranium: 1132°C (2070°F)
• Vanadium: 1900°C (3452°F)
• Xenon (@ 101.325 kPa): −111.7°C (−169.1°F)
• Yellow Brass: 905 – 932°C (1660 – 1710°F)
• Ytterbium: 824°C (1515°F)
• Yttrium: 1526°C (2779°F)
• Zinc: 419.5 °C (787°F)
• Zirconium: 1854°C (3369°F)

Melting Points of Alloys in Fahrenheit and Celsius

Below are the melting temperatures of common metals alloys:

• Aluminum-Cadmium Alloy: 1377°C (2511°F)
• Aluminum-Calcium Alloy: 545°C (1013°F)
• Aluminum-Cerium Alloy: 655°C (1211°F)
• Aluminum-Copper Alloy: 548°C (1018°F)
• Aluminum-Germanium Alloy: 427°C (801 °F°F)
• Aluminum-Gold Alloy: 569°C (1056°F)
• Aluminum-Indium Alloy:637°C (1179°F)
• Aluminum-Iron Alloy: 1153°C (2107°F)
• Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy: 600°C (1110°F)
• Aluminum-Nickel Alloy: 1385°C (2525°F)
• Aluminum-Platinum Alloy: 1260°C (2300°F)
• Aluminum-Scandium Alloy: 655°C (1211°F)
• Aluminum-Silicon Alloy:577°C (1071°F)
• Aluminum-Zinc Alloy: 382°C (720°F)
• Amalgam: 178-278°C (352.4-532.4°F)
• Arsenic-Antimony Alloy: 605°C (1121°F)
• Arsenic-Cobalt Alloy: 916°C (1681°F)
• Arsenic-Copper Alloy: 685°C (1265°F)
• Arsenic-Indium Alloy: 942°C (1728°F)
• Arsenic-Iron Alloy: 1103°C (2017°F)
• Arsenic-Manganese Alloy: 870°C (1598°F)
• Arsenic-Nickel Alloy: 967°C (1770°F)
• Arsenic-Tin Alloy: 579°C (1074°F)
• Arsenic-Zinc Alloy: 1015°C (1859°F)
• Babbitt Metal: 433-466°C (811.4-870.8°F)
• Beryllium-Copper Alloy: 865 – 955°C (1587 – 1750°F)
• Brass: 930°C (1710°F)
• Brass, Admiralty: 900 – 940°C (1650 – 1720°F)
• Red Brass: 990 – 1025°C (1810 – 1880°F)
• Yellow Brass: 905 – 932°C (1660 – 1710°F)
• Bronze, Aluminum: 1027 – 1038°C (1881 – 1900°F)
• Bronze, Manganese: 865 – 890°C (1590 – 1630°F)
• Cast Iron, Gray: 1175-1290°C (2150-2360°F)
• Copper-Nickel Alloy: 1060-1240°C (1940-2264°F)
• Field’s Metal: 62°C (144°F)
• Gold-Antimony Alloy: 360°C (680°F)
• Gold-Bismuth Alloy: 241°C (466°F)
• Gold-Cadmium Alloy: 500°C (932°F)
• Gold-Cerium Alloy: 520°C (968°F)
• Gold-Germanium Alloy: 356°C (673°F)
• Gold-Lanthanum Alloy: 561°C (1042°F)
• Gold-Lead Alloy: 215°C (419°F)
• Gold-Magnesium Alloy: 575°C (1067°F)
• Gold-Manganese Alloy: 960°C (1760°F)
• Gold-Silicon Alloy: 363°C (685°F)
• Gold-Sodium Alloy: 876°C (1609°F)
• Gold-Tellurium Alloy: 416°C (781°F)
• Gold-Thallium Alloy: 131°C (268°F)
• Gold-Tin Alloy: 278°C (532°F)
• Hastelloy C-276: 1323-1371°C (2415-2500°F)
• Invar: 1427°C (2600°F)
• Cast iron: 1204°C (2200°F)
• Cast iron (Gray): 1175 – 1290°C (2150 – 2360°F)
• Ductile iron: 1,150 – 1,200°C (2,100 – 2,190°F)
• Wrought iron: 1482°C (2700°F)
• Iron-Antimony Alloy: 748°C (1378°F)
• Iron-Gadolinium Alloy: 850°C (1562°F)
• Iron-Molybdenum Alloy: 1452°C (2646°F)
• Iron-Niobium Alloy: 1370°C (2498°F)
• Iron-Silicon Alloy:1202°C (2196°F)
• Iron-Tin Alloy: 1127°C (2061°F)
• Iron-Yttrium Alloy: 900°C (1652°F)
• Iron-Zirconium Alloy: 1327°C (2421°F)
• Kovar: 1449°C (2640°F)
• Lead-Antimony Alloy: 247°C (477°F)
• Lead-Platinum Alloy: 290°C (554°F)
• Lead-Praseodymium Alloy: 1042°C (1908°F)
• Lead-Tellurium Alloy: 924°C (1695°F)
• Lead-Tin Alloy: 187°C (369°F)
• Lead-Titanium Alloy: 725°C (1337°F)
• Magnesium AZ31B: ~650°C (~1200°F)
• Magnesium-Antimony Alloy: 961°C (1761.8°F)
• Magnesium-Nickel Alloy: 507°C (945°F)
• Magnesium-Praseodymium Alloy: 585°C (1085°F)
• Magnesium-Silicon Alloy: 950°C (1742°F)
• Magnesium-Strontium Alloy: 426°C (799°F)
• Magnesium-Zinc Alloy: 342°C (648°F)
• Molybdenum-Nickel Alloy: 1317°C (2403°F)
• Molybdenum-Osmium Alloy: 2377°C (4311°F)
• Molybdenum-Rhenium Alloy: 2507°C (4545°F)
• Molybdenum-Ruthenium Alloy: 1927°C (3501°F)
• Molybdenum-Silicon Alloy: 2077°C (3771°F)
• Nickel-Antimony Alloy: 1102°C (2016°F)
• Nickel-Tin Alloy: 1130°C (2066°F)
• Nickel-Titanium Alloy: 1117°C (2043°F)
• Nickel-Tungsten Alloy: 1500°C (2732°F)
• Nickel-Vanadium Alloy: 1200°C (2192°F)
• Nickel-Zinc Alloy: 875°C (1607°F)
• Nitinol: 1300°C (2370°F)
• Pewter: 240°C (464°F)
• Rose’s Metal: 98°C (208°F)
• Silver-Aluminum Alloy:562°C (1044°F)
• Silver-Antimony Alloy: 485°C (905°F)
• Silver-Arsenic Allo: 540°C (1004°F)
• Silver-Calcium Alloy: 547°C (1017°F)
• Silver-Cerium Alloy: 525°C (977°F)
• Silver-Copper Alloy:777°C (1431°F)
• Silver-Germanium Alloy: 651°C (1204°F)
• Silver-Lanthanum Alloy: 518°C (964°F)
• Silver-Lead Alloy: 304°C (579°F)
• Silver-Lithium Alloy: 145°C (293°F)
• Silver-Magnesium Alloy: 472°C (882°F)
• Silver-Palladium Alloy: 651°C (1204°F)
• Silver-Silicon Alloy: 837°C (1539°F)
• Silver-Strontium Alloy: 436°C (817°F)
• Silver-Tellurium Alloy: 350°C (662°F)
• Silver-Zirconium Alloy: 827°C (1521°F)
• Carbon Steel: 1425 – 1540°C (2600 – 2800°F)
• Hi-Carbon Steel (0.40% to 0.70% carbon): 2500°C (1371°F)
• Low Carbon Steel (0.15% to 0.40% carbon): 2600°C (1427°F)
• Medium Carbon Steel (less than 0.15%): 2700°C (1482°F)
• Steel, Maraging: 1413°C (2575°F)
• Steel, Stainless: 1510°C (2750°F)
• Stellite: 1180-1415°C (2156 – 2579°F)
• Sterling Silver: 893°C (1640°F)
• Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V): 1604 – 1660°C (2920 – 3020°F)
• Wood’s Metal: 70°C (158°F)

What Factors Can Affect the Melting Point of An Alloy or Metal?

1. External Pressure:

The most important factor that can amplify or bring down the melting point of any metal or alloy is the external pressure being applied to it.

Because it can either be the natural atmospheric pressure or the pressure when the reaction is being conducted within a container.

So, Melting leads to an increase in the overall volume of the metal, as liquids tend to take up more space as opposed to solids.

If you increase the overall pressure, the transformation aspect gets harder to achieve.

With higher external pressure, changing from solid-state to liquid or gaseous can be difficult as the volume requirement goes up exponentially.

With higher external pressure, the energy requirement would be higher to ensure that the metal melts down.

2. Type of Bond:

The type of bond your metal shares is also relevant when it determin any change in the melting point.

So, metallic compounds that flaunt an ionic bonding have inflated melting points as compared to the ones that share a covalent bonding.

Yet, the fact that the ionic bond is integrated synonymously, the energy required to disperse this bond and change it into a liquid state is generally higher.

So, a covalent bond is loosely integrated, resulting in faster melting at a lower temperature.

3. Presence of Other Metals/Impurities

Even the smallest trace of impurity can lower or increase the metal’s melting point.

It also broadens the overall melting temperature range because impurities lead to certain defects in its crystalline lattice, making it easier to surpass the interactions between the metal molecules.

S, the presence of any other metal in the mix can lead to a massive noticeable change in the melting point.

How to Avoid This Change in Melting Point, if Needed?

1. Use Purest Form of Metal or Alloy:

Metal can be purified using several methods which include:

• Distillation
• Poling
• Liquation
• Electrolysis
• Vapor Refining
• Zone Refining

2. Determine the Bond Type:

If you have successfully obtained the metal or alloy in its purest possible form, the next step is to check the type of bond it shares.

If the bond is ionic, you might have to impart a higher level of energy to achieve a melting state.

With a Covalent bond, you might not have to do so.

Predetermining the bond type helps you deal with any emergency energy requirements.

3. Ensure Constant Pressure:

The energy phases change extensively during the melting process. The first thing you need to do is have a container large enough that ensures easier contraction and expansion of the metal in any of its states, including liquid or gaseous one.

You can make use of pressure monitoring tools to ensure that there is no change in the external or internal pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The melting point of metals plays a critical role in the manufacturing industry.

Any mistake in the determination of the melting point can lead to inferior quality manufacturing. If you are a manufacturer that uses alloy or metal for the production process of different parts, this element is something you should definitely keep in mind.

When looking for the accurate melting point of metals, you do visit our page and check out the list of metals and alloys provided above.

Also, We have segregated the temperature ranges in both Fahrenheit and Celsius scale.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments or on LinkedIn.