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.”
CGM Findings
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for info will print and put in my shop book
Shubham pande
Hi … thanks for sharing information.
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.
This chart says that bronze melts at 1562-832 F. What does that mean? Should it say 1562-1832F? Or what?
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.
Thank you all for clarifying. Amazing stuff.
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.
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.
Glass is NOT a liquid UNLESS you melt it.
Yes. By all means. Share any info you have.
I’m working on putting together a more complete list.
Thanks!
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!
I am very thankful for the quick reference! Thank you !!
Glass is not a liquid.
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.
“I’m melting!;!; I’m MELTING!;!;!;!;!
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
I’m not really doing anything with my knowledge yet, but it’s good to know.
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.
Thank you very much.
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.
Dear Sirs,
This is very much useful to me. Thanks lot.
With regards,
J.WILSON
what type of fuel do you use.
Thanks for info will print and put in my shop book
John
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!