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Discovering the Melting Point of Aluminum
Aluminum has a crucial property, which is its melting point. This property greatly impacts its behavior and applications. In this blog, we will delve into aluminum’s melting point, its significance in different industries, and the factors that affect it.
Properties of Aluminum
Aluminum is a highly versatile metal well-known for its corrosion resistance, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and lightweight.
What is the Melting Point of Aluminium?
Aluminum has a lower melting point than brass, iron, copper, and other metals. Its pure form melts at around 660 degrees Celsius or 1220 degrees Fahrenheit. However, aluminum oxide’s melting point is higher than pure aluminum’s, melting at about 2000 degrees Celsius. That’s why aluminum extraction from aluminum oxide is done through electrolysis before melting the metal.
Aluminum has a boiling point of approximately 2467 degrees Celsius. These melting and boiling points are critical since aluminum has exceptional recycling properties and can be used in various ways without waste. The melting of aluminum is particularly critical in the recycling process.
Why is it Essential to Know the Melting Points of Aluminum?
To comprehend the physical characteristics of aluminum, it is necessary to understand its melting point. Determining the melting point of the metal facilitates the identification of impurities in it. Additionally, the melting point serves as a valuable indicator of the metal’s overall purity. When recycling aluminum, a wider melting range indicates higher impurity content. Conversely, the melting point range decreases as the material becomes purer.
Melting Points of Different Aluminum Alloys
| Aluminum Alloy | Melting Point (°F) | Melting Point (°C) |
| Pure Aluminum | 1220.58 | 660.32 |
| 3003 | 640 – 655 | 640-655 |
| 5052 | 1125 – 1200 | 605-650 |
| 6061 | 1080 – 1205 | 580-650 |
| 7075 | 890 – 1175 | 475-635 |
Factors Affecting The Melting Point of Aluminum
The stated melting point is valid only when all factors are constant. However, the melting point of aluminum can change depending on various aspects. If the aluminum has impurities in it, the melting point is higher. There’s also a chance that it will vary over a wide temperature range. It is called a melting point depression. If the aluminum is pure, the melting point range varies within one or two degrees Celsius. If the melting point varies by more than five degrees Celsius, it proves there are impurities.
Other factors, such as the composition of the molecules, how tightly the atoms are packed together, and if pressure is applied during the heating process, can also affect the melting point of aluminium and other substances.
Melted aluminum can be molded to make the same or different products. Due to its highly recyclable nature, aluminum can be melted and reused repeatedly without any wastage. In addition to being the most abundant metal, it is also one of the most economical.
Comparison Of Melting Points Of Aluminum And Other Metals
For comparison, here are the melting points of aluminum and some other commonly used metals:
- Aluminum: 660°C
- Aluminum Bronze: 1027-1038°C
- Copper: 1084°C
- Brass: 930°C
- Carbon steel 1371 to 1593
- Cast iron 1127 to 1204
- Chromium: 1860°C
- Gold: 1063°C
- Inconel: 1390-1425°C
- Incoloy: 1390 to 1425°C
- Lead: 328°C
- Magnesium: 349 to 649°C
- Molybdenum: 2620°C
- Nickel: 1453°C
- Platinum: 1770°C
- Ruthenium: 2482°C
- Silver: 961°C
- Stainless Steel: 1375 – 1530°C
- Titanium: 1670°C
- Tungsten: 3400°C
- Vanadium: 1900°C
- Zinc: 420°C
- Zirconium: 1854°C
Applications of Aluminum’s Melting Point
1. Aluminum’s melting point is crucial in determining the temperature range for successful welding and joining operations. Various techniques, such as TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding and MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, are applied to fuse aluminum with other materials for fabricating structures, assemblies, and parts.
2. Aluminum’s high melting point makes aluminum a popular choice for casting processes in aerospace, automotive, and construction industries, where molten aluminum is poured into molds to create intricate shapes and parts.
3. Heat treatment is a process that involves annealing, quenching, and aging to improve the mechanical properties of aluminum alloys. The alloy’s melting point is critical in determining the heat treatment parameters. It ensures that the desired microstructure and properties are achieved.
4. Aluminum’s melting point is crucial in determining the appropriate temperature range for aluminum’s diffusion and forming processes. Extrusion is a method used to shape aluminum profiles and sections, whereas techniques such as rolling, bending, and stamping are employed to create intricate geometries and meet the desired product specifications.
FAQS
Which material melts faster between aluminum and steel?
Since steel is more rigid than aluminum, the melting temperature is much higher. Steel’s high melting temperature is why it is commonly used within structural applications.
Is aluminum toxic when it’s melted?
Aluminum foil, when melted, emits only aluminum oxide, which is inert and nontoxic due to rapid oxidation at high temperatures.
Can material aluminum and steel be melted together?
The melting point of aluminum is 660 degrees Celsius, while that of carbon steel is approximately 1370 degrees Celsius. Therefore, when attempting to join the two metals by melting them, the aluminum will flow away from the joint before the steel begins to warm. As a result, the aluminum will become molten and create a mess on the ground.
Conclusion
Aluminum is a widely used metal due to its lightweight, strength, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. One of the important properties of aluminum is its melting point.
This article helps you determine whether aluminum is the most suitable material for your application.
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