What Is The Melting Point Of Metals

Resource Description

Metals and alloys are an irreplaceable basis for foundry and jewelry production, forging, and many other areas. No matter what a person does with metal (whatever process it is), for correct work, they need to know at what temperature one or another metal melts.

Each metal and alloy has its own unique physical and chemical properties, including its melting point. When melting, the metal goes from one state to another, namely, from a solid crystalline state to a liquid one. To melt the metal, you need to heat it to the required temperature - this process is called the melting point.

What Does The Melting Point Depend On?

For different substances, the temperature at which the structure is completely rebuilt to a liquid state is different. If we take into account metals and alloys, then it is worth noting the following point. Metals are not often found in their pure form. The temperature directly depends on its composition. As an example, let us indicate tin, to which other substances (for example, silver) can be added. Impurities make the material more or less resistant to heat. It should be noted that the melting point of a metal is an important property of a substance. An example of this is aviation equipment.

External & Internal Heating

The process of heating metals can be both external and internal. The first takes place in a furnace, and for the second, resistive heating is used, passing electricity, or induction heating.

The impact is almost the same. When heated, the amplitude of molecular vibrations increases. Structural lattice defects are formed, which are accompanied by the breaking of interatomic bonds. Melting is meant by the process of destruction of the lattice and the accumulation of such defects.

Melting & Boiling Temperatures

Melting and boiling are not the same things. The point of transition of a substance from a solid to a liquid state is often called the melting point of the metal. In the molten state, the molecules do not have a definite arrangement, but the attraction holds them side by side; in the liquid form, the crystalline body saves volume but loses its form.

During boiling, the volume is lost, the molecules interact very weakly, move chaotically in different directions, and detach from the surface. A boiling point is a process in which the pressure of a metal vapor is equal to the pressure of the external environment.

Tungsten has the highest melting point of 6188 °F or 3420 °C

Mercury has the lowest melting point of -37.9 °F or -38.9 °C

Different substances have different melting points. Theoretically, metals are divided into:

Low-Melting Metals and Alloys (up to 1112°F or 600 °C)

Medium-Melting Metals And Alloys (from 1112°F or 600 °C to 2912°F or 1600 °C)

Refractory Metals And Alloys (over 2912° F or 1600 °C)