Metals tend to have a higher melting point than many other materials, and they’re able to change forms when exposed to heat — unlike wood, which simply decomposes. When temperatures become high enough, the ions that make up metal vibrate more and more, eventually breaking the bonds its ions have and allowing them to move free.
When the internal structure of a metal starts to shift and bonds are loosened, it becomes a fluid. The strength of the bond — which is based on the material itself — is typically what determines the melting point of a metal. Some metal alloys will have higher or lower melting points than the individual metals themselves, and they may not always melt smoothly.
Do Metals Have High Melting Points? Your Guide to Melting Metals
How hot does metal have to be to melt? The specific melting points of metals vary widely depending on the material. Whether the metal is in its pure state or an alloy (a combination of two or more metallic elements) is also a factor.
Typically, when someone asks about metal melting points, they’re looking for a solid temperature the metal needs to be heated to that results in liquefaction. Below is an interactive table that relies on a variety of scientific sources for melting points of different metals:
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Understanding Alloys
Many metal alloys are present in our temperature list, but it’s important to know that most of these have a significant temperature range they’re required to reach. As the composition changes, the heat point changes, and ranges expand by roughly 200°F.
The range of an alloy means that it will start to have liquid and solid states, sometimes at the same time, as you start to approach the overall melting range.
Melting All at Once
When working with pure metals, you’ll likely notice that it melts almost uniformly. This is a contrast to other elements like ice, which gradually melts, and liquid is visible while chunks of solids are still around.
Thermal conductivity is one of the chief reasons for this uniform melting because metals are exceptional at heat transfer. Compared to ice, metal’s conductivity rate is orders of magnitude higher. This means applying heat to one part of a metal rod or bar will see the heat distribute very evenly throughout.
The denser the metal — usually — the better its thermal conductivity. This allows metalworking to apply heat safely in a single place but still properly heat an entire piece of metal.
What Do You Melt Metal In?
During the metal casting process, melting typically occurs in one of three types of furnaces:
- Cupola: This tall, cylinder-shaped furnace includes an inner lining consisting of clay, bricks or blocks to protect against extreme heat levels, abrasions and oxidation. Layers of materials such as rock and limestone interact with the sedimentary rock and the metal during heating, causing impurities to float to the surface.
- Open hearth: Some foundries choose these furnaces to melt nonferrous (containing no or insignificant amounts of iron) metals. These structures use natural gas or oil to generate heat. This process can also raise the heat inside a metallurgical furnace that operates via waste heat.
- Induction: An induction furnace uses alternating electric currents to melt the metal, making it more energy-efficient than the other types. Die casters often prefer an induction furnace because it can melt a wide range of metals, including aluminum, copper, iron and steel. It can also accommodate an assortment of weight capacities.
Contact Us for Die Casting Services
At Premier Die Casting, we can answer all your questions about the melting points of metals and other aspects of the process. As leading die-casting experts, we can perform high-precision metal melting to ensure it meets your project’s specifications.
Premier Die Casting is a family-owned business that has made quality the top priority for over 70 years. Our full range of services — die casting, CNC machining and metal finishing — enables us to achieve multiple objectives for companies across a broad spectrum of industries.