The Melting Points of Metals: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever worked with metals in any capacity—whether you’re welding in your garage, designing industrial equipment, or just curious about materials science—you’ve probably wondered about melting points. It’s one of those properties that sounds simple but actually tells you a lot about what a metal can do and where you can use it.Let’s dive into what makes metals melt, why it matters, and which ones can take the heat (literally).

Table of Contents

1. What Is a Melting Point?
2. Why Melting Temperatures Matter
3. High Melting Point Metals
4. Medium Temperature Metals
5. Low Melting Point Metals
6. Complete Comparison Table
7. Practical Applications
8. Common Mistakes to Avoid
9. FAQ

What Exactly Is a Melting Point?

Here’s the deal: a metal’s melting point is the exact temperature where it stops being solid and starts turning into liquid. Pretty straightforward, right? But there’s a cool bit of physics happening here. At that precise temperature, the metal exists as both solid and liquid at the same time—it’s in equilibrium.Once you hit that temperature, you can keep pumping heat into the metal, but the temperature won’t budge. Not until every last bit of solid has melted. After that? Sure, then it’ll get hotter. This quirk is actually super useful in manufacturing because it gives you a predictable window to work with.

Why Should You Care About Melting Temperatures?

Keeping Things From Falling Apart

This one’s obvious but critical. If a metal component hits its melting point during operation, you’re going to have a bad day. Imagine a furnace part starting to melt—suddenly you’ve got molten metal where it shouldn’t be, and your equipment’s done for. Same goes for jet engine components or exhaust systems. They’re designed to operate well below melting temperatures for good reason.This one’s obvious but critical. If a metal component hits its melting point during operation, you’re going to have a bad day. Imagine a furnace part starting to melt—suddenly you’ve got molten metal where it shouldn’t be, and your equipment’s done for. Same goes for jet engine components or exhaust systems. They’re designed to operate well below melting temperatures for good reason.

Making Stuff With Metal

Melting points are absolutely fundamental to how we shape and join metals. Casting? You’re pouring liquid metal into molds. Welding? You’re melting metal to fuse pieces together. Forging? Often involves heating metal close to (but not quite at) melting temperatures.Your equipment needs to handle whatever temperature you’re working at. A welding torch has to withstand molten metal splatter. Casting molds need to be made from materials that won’t melt before the part you’re making does. It’s all about matching materials to temperatures.

Why Don’t All Metals Melt at the Same Temperature?

Good question. It comes down to atomic structure and how strongly the atoms are bonded together. Metals with tightly packed atomic structures and lots of delocalized electrons form stronger bonds. Breaking those bonds takes more energy—meaning higher temperatures.Think of it like this: tungsten atoms are holding hands really, really tight. You need massive heat to get them to let go. Mercury atoms? They’re barely touching. Room temperature is enough to keep them flowing around.Throw in alloys (mixtures of metals) and things get messier. Most alloys don’t have a single melting point—they have a range. As you heat brass, different components start melting at different times, which is why you’ll see melting ranges instead of exact temperatures.

Metals That Laugh at Extreme Heat

Some metals are just built different when it comes to heat resistance.Tungsten is the absolute champion here. It doesn’t melt until you hit 3,400°C (6,152°F). That’s insane. We’re talking about temperatures hotter than most industrial furnaces can even achieve. This is why tungsten shows up in light bulb filaments, rocket nozzles, and anywhere else where “really freaking hot” is the operating condition.Molybdenum comes in at 2,620°C (4,748°F). Still incredibly high, and it makes molybdenum perfect for furnace parts and high-temperature electrical contacts. Aerospace engineers love this stuff.Chromium melts at 1,860°C (3,380°F). You probably know chromium from chrome plating on cars, but it’s also crucial in high-temperature alloys and stainless steel.Titanium hits 1,670°C (3,038°F), which combined with its strength-to-weight ratio makes it the darling of the aerospace industry. Strong, light, and heat-resistant? Sign me up.Platinum melts at 1,770°C (3,218°F). Besides being pretty in jewelry, platinum’s heat resistance makes it essential for lab equipment and catalytic converters in cars.

The Everyday Workhorses

These are the metals you probably encounter most often, and they’ve got melting points that make them practical for tons of applications.Steel is tricky because there are so many types. Carbon steel melts somewhere between 1,425-1,540°C (2,597-2,800°F), while stainless steel goes between 1,375-1,530°C (2,500-2,785°F). The exact temperature depends on what else is mixed in with the iron. This versatility is part of why steel is everywhere—construction, cars, tools, you name it.Iron by itself melts around 1,538°C (2,800°F), though cast iron melts a bit lower at 1,204°C (2,200°F) because of the carbon content. Iron’s been the backbone of industry for centuries for good reason.Copper melts at 1,084°C (1,983°F). This is low enough to be workable but high enough that copper components stay solid in most applications. Combined with copper’s excellent electrical conductivity, you can see why it’s in every electrical wire and circuit board out there.Nickel melts at 1,453°C (2,647°F). It’s often alloyed with other metals to create superalloys like Inconel (which melts between 1,390-1,425°C). These nickel alloys can handle brutal conditions in jet engines and chemical processing.Gold melts at 1,063°C (1,945°F). Low enough that jewelers have been working with it for thousands of years, but high enough that your gold ring isn’t going to melt if you touch something hot.Silver goes liquid at 961°C (1,762°F). Like gold, it’s workable for jewelry, but it’s also all over electronics because of its conductivity.

The Low-Temperature Crew

Some metals melt at temperatures that might surprise you.Aluminum melts at just 660°C (1,220°F). This is actually one of aluminum’s big advantages—it takes less energy to melt and work with, which is why it’s so popular in everything from soda cans to airplane parts. The low melting point makes aluminum cheap to process while still being plenty strong for most uses.Brass (a mix of copper and zinc) melts around 930°C (1,710°F), though the exact temperature shifts depending on the copper-to-zinc ratio. This makes brass great for musical instruments, decorative stuff, and plumbing fittings.Zinc melts at 420°C (787°F). That’s low enough that zinc is perfect for die-casting—you can melt it, pour it into a mold, and it solidifies quickly without needing crazy amounts of energy.Lead melts at just 328°C (622°F). This made lead super popular for soldering and pipes historically, though we’ve backed off using it so much because of health concerns. Still useful for radiation shielding and batteries though.And then there are the real oddballs:Mercury is liquid at room temperature. Its melting point is actually -39°C (-38°F). That’s why it works in old-school thermometers—it’s already liquid across normal temperature ranges.Gallium melts at about 30°C (86°F). You can literally hold a chunk in your hand and watch it melt, which is pretty cool. It shows up in semiconductors and specialized alloys.

Real-World Considerations

When you’re actually selecting metals for a project, melting point is just the starting point. You also need to think about:Creep resistance – Will the metal slowly deform under stress at high temps? This matters big time for turbine blades and pressure vessels.Oxidation – Some metals form protective oxide layers (like aluminum), while others oxidize in ways that weaken them.Thermal expansion – Metals expand when heated. If you’ve got tight tolerances or joints between different materials, this can cause problems.Cost and availability – Sure, tungsten can handle insane heat, but it’s expensive and hard to machine. Sometimes a cheaper metal that’s “good enough” is the smarter choice.

Common Mistakes When Working with Melting Points

Understanding metal melting temperatures is one thing, but applying that knowledge correctly is another. Here are the most common mistakes people make:

Ignoring Alloy Composition

The biggest mistake is assuming all steel melts at the same temperature, or that all brass behaves identically. Remember, stainless steel can melt anywhere from 1,375-1,530°C depending on its exact composition. Always check the specific alloy grade you’re working with, not just the general metal type.

Not Accounting for Impurities

Even small amounts of impurities can significantly alter melting behavior. That “pure” aluminum might have trace elements that change its melting characteristics. Industrial-grade metals often have different melting points than laboratory-pure samples.

Overlooking Safety Margins

Just because copper melts at 1,084°C doesn’t mean you should design equipment to operate at 1,000°C. Metals lose strength and experience other forms of degradation well before reaching their melting points. Always build in substantial safety margins—typically keeping operating temperatures at least 200-300°C below the melting point for critical applications.

Confusing Melting Point with Working Temperature

Your steel beam won’t suddenly collapse at 1,400°C, but it’ll start losing structural integrity much earlier. Creep, oxidation, and loss of mechanical properties occur at temperatures far below the melting point. For structural applications, consider the metal’s performance across its entire temperature range.

Using Incorrect Heating Methods

Different melting processes require different approaches. Induction heating works great for some metals but not others. Direct flame heating can cause oxidation issues. Always match your heating method to both the metal and the application.

Case Studies: Metal Melting Points in Action

Aerospace Industry: Why Titanium Dominates

The aerospace industry’s love affair with titanium isn’t just about its strength-to-weight ratio. With a melting point of 1,670°C, titanium maintains structural integrity in jet engine components where temperatures routinely exceed 1,000°C. Aluminum, melting at just 660°C, would be useless in these high-heat zones despite being lighter and cheaper.Modern jet engines use a strategic combination of metals based on temperature zones: titanium in the fan blades and compressor sections, nickel-based superalloys (like Inconel) in the combustion chamber where temperatures approach 1,400°C, and specialized coatings to push boundaries even further.

Electronics Manufacturing: Copper’s Perfect Balance

In electronics, copper’s 1,084°C melting point hits a sweet spot. It’s high enough that circuit boards can withstand soldering operations (lead-based solder melts around 183°C, lead-free around 217°C) without the copper traces melting. Yet it’s low enough that copper wire and components can be manufactured efficiently without requiring exotic, expensive furnaces.This is why copper dominates electrical wiring despite silver having better conductivity. Silver’s melting point of 961°C is actually lower than copper’s, but copper’s slightly higher melting point, combined with lower cost, makes it the practical choice for most applications.

Automotive Casting: Aluminum’s Efficiency Edge

Modern car engines increasingly use aluminum instead of cast iron because aluminum’s 660°C melting point means dramatically lower energy costs in manufacturing. You can melt and cast aluminum in equipment that’s relatively affordable to operate. Cast iron, melting at 1,204°C, requires significantly more energy and more expensive furnaces.This 544°C difference translates to real money—both in equipment costs and ongoing energy expenses. For automotive manufacturers producing millions of engine blocks, aluminum’s lower melting temperature represents massive savings while still providing adequate strength for most engine applications.

Tools and Resources for Working with Metal Temperatures

Temperature Conversion Quick Reference

When working internationally or with different measurement systems, you’ll need to convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit:

Formula:

°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32 °C = (°F – 32) × 5/9

Common conversions:

660°C (aluminum) = 1,220°F 1,084°C (copper) = 1,983°F 1,538°C (iron) = 2,800°F

Safety Equipment Recommendations

Working with molten metals requires serious safety gear:Face shields and goggles: Rated for molten metal splatter Heat-resistant gloves: Leather or specialized high-temp materials Protective clothing: Flame-resistant aprons and sleeves Proper ventilation: Many metals release dangerous fumes when melted Fire suppression: Appropriate extinguishers for metal fires (Class D)Never attempt to melt metals without proper training and equipment. Molten aluminum at 660°C looks identical to molten aluminum at 700°C, but that 40-degree difference could mean the difference between a controlled pour and a dangerous situation.

Video: See Metal Melting Points in Action

Understanding melting points becomes much clearer when you see them in action. Check out this demonstration showing how different metals behave at various temperatures:Recommended viewing: Search YouTube for “metal melting points demonstration” or “melting different metals comparison” to see visual demonstrations of the dramatic differences between metals like gallium (melting in your hand at 30°C) versus tungsten (requiring temperatures over 3,400°C).These videos really drive home why material selection matters so much in engineering applications.

Complete Metal Melting Point Comparison Table

Here’s a comprehensive table showing melting points for common metals and alloys, organized from highest to lowest temperature:

Metal / Alloy	Melting Point (°C)	Melting Point (°F)	Temperature Category	Common Applications
Tungsten	3,400	6,152	Extremely High	Light bulb filaments, rocket nozzles, electrical contacts
Molybdenum	2,620	4,748	Extremely High	Furnace components, aircraft parts, electrodes
Chromium	1,860	3,380	Very High	High-temperature alloys, chrome plating, stainless steel
Platinum	1,770	3,218	Very High	Laboratory equipment, catalytic converters, jewelry
Titanium	1,670	3,038	Very High	Aerospace, medical implants, marine applications
Nickel	1,453	2,647	High	Superalloys, coins, electroplating
Carbon Steel	1,425-1,540	2,597-2,800	High	Construction, automotive, machinery
Inconel	1,390-1,425	2,540-2,600	High	Jet engines, chemical processing, turbines
Stainless Steel	1,375-1,530	2,500-2,785	High	Kitchen equipment, medical instruments, architecture
Cast Iron	1,204	2,200	High	Engine blocks, cookware, pipes
Copper	1,084	1,983	Medium-High	Electrical wiring, plumbing, heat exchangers
Gold	1,063	1,945	Medium-High	Jewelry, electronics, dentistry
Aluminum Bronze	1,027-1,038	1,881-1,900	Medium-High	Marine hardware, bearings, gears
Silver	961	1,762	Medium	Electronics, jewelry, solar panels
Brass	930	1,710	Medium	Musical instruments, plumbing fittings, decorative items
Aluminum	660	1,220	Medium-Low	Beverage cans, aircraft, window frames
Zinc	420	787	Low	Die-casting, galvanizing, batteries
Lead	328	622	Low	Radiation shielding, batteries, ammunition
Mercury	-39	-38	Very Low	Thermometers, electrical switches, fluorescent lights

Note: Alloys (marked with temperature ranges) don’t have a single melting point because their various components melt at different temperatures. The exact melting point depends on the specific composition of the alloy.

How to Use This Information

Looking at this table, you can quickly compare metals for your specific needs:

• For extreme heat applications (above 2,000°C): You’re limited to tungsten, molybdenum, and a few other exotic metals
• For high-temperature industrial use (1,200-2,000°C): Steel, nickel alloys, titanium, and chromium are your go-to option
• For general manufacturing and construction (900-1,200°C): Copper, brass, silver, and various steel alloys work great
• For low-energy processing (below 700°C): Aluminum, zinc, and lead are easy to melt and work with

The temperature categories help you quickly identify which metals are appropriate for different thermal environments without having to memorize exact numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Melting Points

What temperature does aluminum melt at?

Aluminum melts at 660°C (1,220°F). This relatively low melting point compared to other structural metals makes aluminum highly energy-efficient to process and work with. The aluminum melting temp is one reason why it’s so widely used in industries ranging from beverage cans to aircraft construction—it’s easy to cast, extrude, and form into complex shapes without requiring extremely expensive high-temperature equipment.

At what temp does steel melt?

Steel melts between 1,375-1,540°C (2,500-2,800°F) depending on its composition. Carbon steel typically melts at 1,425-1,540°C, while stainless steel melts between 1,375-1,530°C. The exact steel melting temperature depends on the amounts of carbon, chromium, nickel, and other alloying elements. This is why you can’t give a single answer for “what temperature does steel melt”—you need to know the specific type of steel you’re working with.

What metal has the highest melting point?

Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals at 3,400°C (6,152°F). This extraordinary heat resistance makes tungsten ideal for extreme-temperature applications like light bulb filaments, rocket engine nozzles, and high-temperature furnace components. Rhenium comes in second at 3,186°C, followed by osmium at 3,033°C, but tungsten remains the undisputed champion.

What temp does copper melt?

Copper melts at 1,084°C (1,983°F). This melting point is high enough for copper to maintain its integrity in most electrical and plumbing applications, yet low enough that it’s relatively easy to cast, weld, and work with in manufacturing. The copper melting point is one reason it’s been used by humans for thousands of years—it’s accessible to work with but still durable in use.

At what temperature does brass melt?

Brass melts around 930°C (1,710°F), though the exact brass melting temp varies depending on the copper-to-zinc ratio in the alloy. Brass with higher copper content melts at higher temperatures, while brass with more zinc melts at lower temperatures. This is typical of alloys—they don’t have a single melting point like pure metals do, but rather a melting range. The brass melting point makes it easier to cast than copper while still maintaining good strength and corrosion resistance.

What is the melting point of lead?

Lead has a melting point of 328°C (622°F), which is quite low compared to most metals. This low melting temperature made lead historically popular for plumbing (the word “plumber” comes from the Latin word for lead) and soldering applications. However, due to health concerns, lead’s use has been significantly restricted in many applications, though it’s still valuable for radiation shielding, batteries, and certain industrial uses where its low melting point is advantageous.

Wrapping Up

Understanding melting points isn’t just academic—it’s practical knowledge that affects everything from welting safety to material selection for spacecraft. Whether you’re trying to figure out if aluminum will work for your project, designing components for high-heat environments, or just fascinated by materials science, melting temperatures give you crucial insight into what metals can handle.The range is pretty incredible when you think about it. From mercury, which stays liquid on a cold winter day, all the way up to tungsten, which requires temperatures comparable to the surface of some stars—metals give us options for just about any temperature condition we might encounter.Next time you’re working with metal or even just holding something metallic, you’ll know there’s a specific temperature where that solid object would turn into a puddle. Pretty cool, right?

Need Help Selecting the Right Metal?

Choosing the right metal for your high-temperature application involves more than just comparing melting points. You need to consider thermal expansion, oxidation resistance, mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, and cost factors.For professional guidance on metal selection for your specific temperature requirements, consult with materials engineers or metallurgists who can help you balance all these factors for optimal performance and safety.

Contact

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