Metal melting points
Chemical Composition
Section titled “Chemical Composition”Aluminum, with a commercial purity greater than 99.0 %, is the most abundant non-ferrous metal in the Earth’s crust.
| Metal / Alloy | Typical Composition (mass %) |
|---|---|
| Platinum (Pt) | Pt ≥ 99.95 |
| Aluminum (Al) | Al ≥ 99.0 |
| Copper (Cu) | Cu ≥ 99.9 |
| Pure Iron (Fe) | Fe ≥ 99.8 |
| Carbon steel P245GH | C ≤ 0.16; Mn 0.60‑1.20; Si ≤ 0.35; P ≤ 0.025; S ≤ 0.015; balance Fe |
| Stainless steel 304 (X5CrNi18‑10) | C ≤ 0.07; Cr 17.5‑19.5; Ni 8.0‑10.5; Mn ≤ 2.0; Si ≤ 1.0; balance Fe |
| Yellow brass (Cu‑Zn) | Cu ~65, Zn ~35 |
| Aluminum bronze (Cu‑Al) | Cu ~88‑92, Al ~6‑8, Fe and Ni traces |
| Aluminum alloy 6061 | Al ~97.9; Mg 0.8‑1.2; Si 0.4‑0.8; Cu 0.15‑0.40; Cr 0.04‑0.35 |
Mechanical Properties (by heat treatment condition)
Section titled “Mechanical Properties (by heat treatment condition)”Annealed platinum exhibits a tensile strength of 125 to 165 MPa (18 100–23 900 psi) with an elongation at break of 35 %.
| Material | Condition | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Brinell Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum (Pt) | Annealed | 50‑70 | 125‑165 | 35 | 40‑50 |
| Steel P245GH | Normalized | ≥ 245 | 410‑530 | ≥ 24 | 120‑160 |
| Stainless steel 304 | Annealed | ≥ 205 | 515‑720 | ≥ 40 | 150‑200 |
| Aluminum 6061‑T6 | Artificially aged | ≥ 240 | ≥ 260 | ≥ 10 | 95 |
| Yellow brass C26000 | Annealed | 75‑150 | 280‑350 | 55 | 50‑70 |
Note: Alloy values correspond to typical delivery conditions according to EN 10222‑2 and ASTM standards.
Physical Properties
Section titled “Physical Properties”Copper has a melting point of 1084 °C (1983 °F), one of the highest among metals used in electrical applications.
Melting Points of Common Metals and Alloys
Section titled “Melting Points of Common Metals and Alloys”| Metal / Alloy | Melting Temperature (°C) | Melting Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 660 | 1220 |
| Aluminum alloy | 463 – 671 | 865 – 1240 |
| Antimony | 630 | 1166 |
| Beryllium | 1285 | 2345 |
| Aluminum bronze | 1027 – 1038 | 1881 – 1900 |
| Cadmium | 321 | 610 |
| Chromium | 1860 | 3380 |
| Cobalt | 1495 | 2723 |
| Copper | 1084 | 1983 |
| Cupronickel | 1170 – 1240 | 2138 – 2264 |
| Tin | 232 | 450 |
| Wrought iron | 1482 – 1593 | 2700 – 2900 |
| Gray cast iron | 1127 – 1204 | 2061 – 2200 |
| Ductile iron | 1149 | 2100 |
| Iridium | 2450 | 4442 |
| Admiralty brass | 900 – 940 | 1652 – 1724 |
| Yellow brass | 930 | 1706 |
| Red brass | 1000 | 1832 |
| Magnesium | 650 | 1202 |
| Manganese | 1244 | 2271 |
| Mercury | −38.86 | −37.95 |
| Molybdenum | 2620 | 4748 |
| Monel | 1300 – 1350 | 2372 – 2462 |
| Nickel | 1453 | 2647 |
| Niobium (Columbium) | 2470 | 4478 |
| 24K Gold | 1063 | 1945 |
| Palladium | 1555 | 2831 |
| Platinum | 1768.3 | 3214.9 |
| Lead | 327.5 | 621.5 |
| Potassium | 63.3 | 145.9 |
| Rhenium | 3186 | 5767 |
| Rhodium | 1965 | 3569 |
| Sodium | 97.83 | 208.09 |
| Solder 50‑50 (Sn‑Pb) | 215 | 419 |
| Carbon steel | 1425 – 1540 | 2597 – 2800 |
| Stainless steel | 1510 | 2750 |
| Tantalum | 2980 | 5396 |
| Titanium | 1670 | 3038 |
| Tungsten | 3400 | 6152 |
| Vanadium | 1900 | 3452 |
| Zinc | 419.5 | 787.1 |
| Zirconium | 1854 | 3369 |
Selected Densities
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Density (lb/in³) |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 21.45 | 0.775 |
| Gold | 19.32 | 0.698 |
| Lead | 11.34 | 0.410 |
| Copper | 8.96 | 0.324 |
| Steel | 7.85 | 0.284 |
| Aluminum | 2.70 | 0.098 |
| Magnesium | 1.74 | 0.063 |
Thermal Properties
Section titled “Thermal Properties”The thermal conductivity of platinum is 69.1 W/m·K (480 BTU·in/h·ft²·°F), lower than that of copper (401 W/m·K), which limits its use in heat sinks.
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K) | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (µm/m·°C) | Specific Heat (J/kg·K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 69.1 | 9.10 | 133 |
| Aluminum (pure) | 237 | 23.1 | 897 |
| Copper | 401 | 16.5 | 385 |
| Carbon steel | 50 | 11.7 | 490 |
| Stainless steel 304 | 16.2 | 17.3 | 500 |
| Brass (70Cu‑30Zn) | 120 | 20.0 | 380 |
Applications by Industry
Section titled “Applications by Industry”More than 25 % of consumer goods contain platinum, highlighting its use in jewelry, automotive catalysts, and medical devices.
| Material | Industry | Representative Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | Jewelry, automotive, chemical, medical | Catalysts, oxygen sensors, surgical instruments, high-reliability electrical contacts |
| Aluminum | Aerospace, construction, packaging | Fuselages, structural profiles, beverage cans, heat exchangers |
| Copper | Electrical, construction, plumbing | Electrical conductors, pipes, roofing, heat sinks |
| Carbon steel | Construction, automotive, machinery | Beams, body panels, gears, pressure vessels per EN 10222‑2 |
| Stainless steel | Food, medical, chemical | Sanitary tanks, surgical instruments, heat exchangers in corrosive environments |
| Brass | Plumbing, decoration, ammunition | Valves, faucets, musical instruments, cartridge cases |
| Tungsten | Aerospace, electrical, defense | Light bulb filaments, TIG welding electrodes, armor-piercing projectiles, furnace components |
Comparison with Similar Materials
Section titled “Comparison with Similar Materials”Tungsten, with a melting point of 3400 °C (6152 °F), exceeds that of iron by more than 1600 °C and that of titanium by almost 1200 °C.
| Metal | Melting Point (°C) | Relative Price | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tungsten | 3400 | Medium | 19.25 | 550‑620 (rod) |
| Rhenium | 3186 | Very high | 21.02 | 1070 (annealed) |
| Osmium | 3025 | High | 22.59 | 1500 (approx.) |
| Tantalum | 2980 | High | 16.69 | 150‑200 (annealed) |
| Molybdenum | 2620 | Medium | 10.28 | 485‑690 |
| Platinum | 1768.3 | Very high | 21.45 | 125‑165 |
| Titanium | 1670 | High | 4.51 | 240‑550 |
| Iron | 1538 | Low | 7.87 | 180‑250 (pure) |
| Gold | 1063 | High | 19.32 | 120‑220 |
Comparative advantages:
- Tungsten is irreplaceable when maximum temperature resistance is required, but its high density and brittleness limit its machinability.
- Platinum offers a unique combination of corrosion resistance, ductility, and an intermediate melting point, making it ideal in aggressive chemical environments and high-temperature applications such as thermocouples.
- Titanium has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and a sufficient melting point for aerospace applications, although it is more reactive at high temperatures.
- Gold, although with a lower melting point, is the standard for high-reliability electrical connections due to its chemical inertness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)”Which metal has the highest melting point?
Section titled “Which metal has the highest melting point?”Tungsten has the highest melting point among pure metals, at 3400 °C (6152 °F), used in filaments and electrodes.
Which metal melts at the lowest temperature?
Section titled “Which metal melts at the lowest temperature?”Mercury is the metal with the lowest melting point, −38.86 °C (−37.95 °F), being liquid at room temperature.
At what temperature does stainless steel melt?
Section titled “At what temperature does stainless steel melt?”Stainless steel has a melting point of approximately 1510 °C (2750 °F), which requires induction or electric arc furnaces for casting.
What is the melting point of aluminum?
Section titled “What is the melting point of aluminum?”The melting point of pure aluminum is 660 °C (1220 °F), which allows its casting in gas or electric resistance furnaces.
How does alloying affect the melting point?
Section titled “How does alloying affect the melting point?”The addition of alloying elements generally reduces the melting point; for example, brass melts between 900 and 940 °C (1652‑1724 °F), a temperature lower than that of pure copper (1084 °C).
Why is knowing melting points important in industry?
Section titled “Why is knowing melting points important in industry?”The melting point determines casting, welding, and forming processes; for example, carbon steel is forged between 1425 and 1540 °C (2597‑2800 °F), depending on its carbon content.
References
Section titled “References”- azom.com: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=9235
- engineeringtoolbox.com: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/melting-temperature-metals-d_860.html
- steelnumber.com: https://www.steelnumber.com/en/standard_steel_comparison_eu.php?gostname_id=48