sterling silver wire

Metal Melting Points – Guide to melting metals

by CGM Findings on October 3, 2012

For those wondering about melting metals – well, now you know. Different melting points for different precious metals.
Something to think about when soldering, fusing, forging hot metal.
We didn’t comprise this. Thanks to someone at the Jewelry Artist’s Network who did.
It’s valuable information and deserves a mention.
Look at the difference between Aluminum and Iron. Something to think about. Although you may not even ever have a chance to work with either, it sure is nice to have a ballpark idea of what you are dealing with.
We are actually surprised that Brass, Sterling Silver and Gold are actually higher than we might have thought when you look at the numbers.

“Please note that melting points vary from resource to resource – This chart has been comprised using numerous sources and cross confirmations.”

Metals Melting Temperatures

Metal Melting Point Celsius Melting Point Fahrenheit
Aluminum 659 1218
Brass (85 Cu 15 Zn) 900-940 1652-1724
Bronze (90 Cu 10 Sn) 850-1000 1562-832
Cast Iron 1260 2300
Copper 1083 1981
Gold (24k) 1063 1946
Iron 1530 2786
Lead 327 621
Nickel 1452 2646
Palladium 1555 2831
Platinum 1770 3220
Red Brass 990 – 1025 1810 – 1880
Silver (pure) 961 1762
Silver (sterling) 893 1640
Stainless Steel 1363 2550
Steel-High Carbon 1353 2500
Medium Carbon 1427 2600
Low Carbon 1464 2700
Tin 232 450
Titanium 1795 3263
Yellow Brass 905 – 932 1660 – 1710
Zinc 419 786

This information comes from: The Jewelry Artists Network [take a look and tell them thanks]
also they have a PDF version so you can download this chart!

http://www.jewelryartistsnetwork.com/index/metals-melting-temperatures/

 

Jewelry Artists Network – What’s THAT?

“The network is an online community of artists, who desire to share, learn, and grow.
We talk technique, design, business, and more.
There are informational articles, tutorials, artist interviews, an inspirational gallery, videos, and occasional challenges and giveaways.

The aim is to inform, inspire, and encourage growth.”

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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }

shubham pande February 5, 2017 at 3:49 pm

Thanks for info will print and put in my shop book

Shubham pande

Shakil February 2, 2017 at 2:06 am

Hi … thanks for sharing information.

Jessica January 17, 2017 at 3:55 am

Wondering if anyone has attempted to enamel bone or horn or antler? If so what were the results? I am curious about the torch method verses kiln method as well.

Eleanor Kee Wellman November 7, 2016 at 9:36 pm

This chart says that bronze melts at 1562-832 F. What does that mean? Should it say 1562-1832F? Or what?

Awareqwx October 6, 2016 at 10:09 pm

Glass is actually not a liquid below its melting point. What it is, however, is called an “amorphous solid”. This is a weird state of matter where it’s rigid like a solid, but doesn’t have any sort of crystalline structure. Its molecules are arranged randomly, which gives it the appearance of a liquid paused in time. It is not actually a liquid, however. The molecules of room-temperature glass move so slowly that a pane of glass as old as the universe would barely look melted at all compared to a new one. The reason old glass looks like that is because they were just really bad at making glass back then.

CGM Findings October 4, 2016 at 7:33 pm

Thank you all for clarifying. Amazing stuff.

Glaringeagle October 4, 2016 at 5:36 pm

Hi, I live in and the capitol of glass, Corning N.Y. and am here to clarify, it is a liquid. It is a super-cooled liquid when at room temperature. An example of this property can be seen by looking at any old window with wavy lines. Does it look like it is melting? It kinda is. It is settling because it is a liquid, just moving very… very… very… slowly.

bubba north August 17, 2016 at 8:19 am

This is a somewhat gray area. Actually glass @ room temperature is solid, but it is amorphous. It does not have any regular crystaline structure. Some call it a solid, others say it is an extremely viscous liquid.

CGM Findings July 20, 2016 at 11:09 pm

Glass is NOT a liquid UNLESS you melt it. 🙂

CGM Findings July 20, 2016 at 11:07 pm

Yes. By all means. Share any info you have.
I’m working on putting together a more complete list.

Thanks!

CGM Findings July 20, 2016 at 11:06 pm

Hi – sorry. Thanks for letting me know.
The link to the pdf page was moved and now updated.

I’m working on a more complete list. Thanks!

Dana Goodall July 20, 2016 at 8:58 am

I am very thankful for the quick reference! Thank you !!

Jeff July 19, 2016 at 9:03 am

Glass is not a liquid.

D.burns July 1, 2016 at 1:05 am

Hi, the link to the downloadable version seems to be broken. very interesting, as people have said before a complete list of every mineral and compound would be amazing. thank you.

WickedWitch of TheWe$t April 29, 2016 at 12:28 am

“I’m melting!;!; I’m MELTING!;!;!;!;!

Aspiring Metal Melter April 15, 2016 at 6:24 pm

Hi, I am getting a furnace that can reach up to 2192 degrees Fahrenheit. I would find it extremely helpful if you could reply with a list of metals I will be able to melt with it! Also, any tips/special requirements on any specific metals? I’ll mostly melt copper, silver, and gold. Another question: Can I alloy metals by simply melting them together and mixing them in the crucible? I’m a complete beginner and have never seen molten metal or a foundry in my life. Love the article!

Thanks,
Aspiring Metal Melter

Miyoshi Vingan March 23, 2016 at 12:09 am

I’m not really doing anything with my knowledge yet, but it’s good to know.

CGM Findings February 10, 2016 at 5:43 pm

Hi Mary. Sorry for the late reply. Yes, we find it fascinating too. We’d love to see a whole series on each mineral/metal, including glass! Each one has it’s own property so it’s good to know what you can and cannot do with it’s melting point. Thanks so much.

CGM Findings February 10, 2016 at 5:38 pm

Thank you very much.

CGM Findings February 10, 2016 at 5:36 pm

Thanks Gary. For jewelry meaning silver, gold, and other low melting point metals, everything from micro torch butane, propane, up to Acetylene/Oxygen tanks. You can find many torches and tools for that at any catalog dealer. On specialized metals with either a very low melting point or a very high melting point, that is a good question, depending what you want to do. There is certainly a technique for each metal.

WILSON .J. February 10, 2016 at 5:13 am

Dear Sirs,
This is very much useful to me. Thanks lot.
With regards,
J.WILSON

gary cox January 28, 2016 at 5:27 pm

what type of fuel do you use.

John January 2, 2016 at 6:23 am

Thanks for info will print and put in my shop book

John

Mary Lu Shaner October 12, 2015 at 1:54 am

Thanks for sharing the temperatures. I have saved it. I don’t know why, but it is fascinating to me. Crystal melting point is over 4000°F. I have seen glass melt then return to its original state in an earthquake. Glass is a liquid. Enough. Just interesting to this old lady. Thank you!

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