What Is the Melting Point for Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the most commonly used metals in the world today. Known for its lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, and versatility, aluminum finds its way into everything from beverage cans to aerospace components. A key property that engineers and manufacturers often consider is its melting point. But what exactly is the melting point of aluminum, and why is it important across so many industries

In this article, we will explore the melting point of aluminum, how it compares with other metals, the factors that influence it, and why understanding this property is essential for casting, welding, machining, and manufacturing.

The Melting Point of Pure Aluminum

The melting point of pure aluminum is approximately 660.3 degrees Celsius, which is equal to 1220.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the temperature at which aluminum transitions from a solid to a liquid under normal atmospheric pressure.

This relatively low melting point makes aluminum easy to work with in a variety of industrial processes including:

• Die casting

• Extrusion

• Rolling

• Welding

• Metal forming

Despite its low melting temperature compared to steel or titanium, aluminum maintains impressive strength and durability when alloyed with other elements.

Why the Melting Point of Aluminum Matters

Understanding the melting point of aluminum is important for several reasons:

1. Manufacturing and Fabrication

Processes such as casting, welding, or forging require precise temperature control. Overheating can lead to grain growth or oxidation, while insufficient heat may cause incomplete fusion.

2. Heat Treatment

Heat treatment processes like annealing or solution heat treating depend on staying just below the melting point. Engineers use the melting temperature as a guide for process design.

3. Material Selection

When selecting materials for high-temperature environments, knowing the melting point ensures the metal will not deform, soften, or fail during service.

4. Safety and Efficiency

For thermal applications such as heat exchangers, cookware, or automotive engine components, temperature tolerance directly affects safety and performance.

Aluminum Alloys and Their Melting Behavior

Pure aluminum melts at a fixed point, but aluminum alloys often melt over a range of temperatures. This range depends on the elements used in the alloy such as silicon, magnesium, copper, or zinc.

For example:

• 6061 aluminum alloy begins to melt at around 582 degrees Celsius and becomes fully liquid at 652 degrees Celsius

• 7075 aluminum alloy has a melting range between 475 and 635 degrees Celsius

This behavior is due to the different melting points of the alloying elements and their interaction within the aluminum matrix.

Melting Point vs Boiling Point

While aluminum melts at 660.3 degrees Celsius, its boiling point is significantly higher — around 2470 degrees Celsius. This large gap between melting and boiling point means aluminum remains stable in most applications, even under elevated heat conditions.

This property makes it suitable for:

• Aerospace parts

• Automotive heat shields

• Power transmission lines

• Flanges for thermal pipelines

At sasaflange, we supply aluminum-based flange solutions that maintain structural stability under high-heat conditions while benefiting from aluminum’s low weight and excellent corrosion resistance.

Comparison with Other Metals

To better understand aluminum’s melting point, it helps to compare it with other commonly used metals:

• Aluminum: 660°C

• Copper: 1085°C

• Steel (carbon): 1425–1540°C

• Titanium: 1668°C

• Zinc: 419°C

• Magnesium: 650°C

• Lead: 327°C

As shown above, aluminum has a lower melting point than structural metals like steel and titanium, but higher than soft metals like lead or zinc. This middle ground gives it a unique advantage in both thermal and structural applications.

How to Measure the Melting Point of Aluminum

In industrial settings, the melting point of aluminum can be verified using methods such as:

• Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA)

• Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

• Thermocouples in a furnace setup

For manufacturers, it is essential to use calibrated equipment and standardized procedures to ensure accurate measurement, especially during alloy development or quality control.

Effects of Melting on Aluminum’s Properties

When aluminum is melted and then re-solidified, its internal structure and mechanical properties may change. The following effects are commonly observed:

Grain Size

Faster cooling leads to finer grains, while slower cooling results in larger grains. Finer grains typically mean higher strength and better surface finish.

Impurity Segregation

During melting, impurities may segregate, especially in recycled aluminum. This can affect corrosion resistance or mechanical performance.

Porosity Formation

Improper melting or casting processes can trap gases in the metal, causing internal voids or porosity which weaken the final product.

At sasaflange, we use advanced casting and machining technologies to ensure our aluminum flange products are free of porosity and meet the strictest quality standards.

Aluminum Melting in Recycling and Sustainability

Aluminum is 100 percent recyclable without losing its original properties. Recycling aluminum uses only about 5 percent of the energy needed to produce new aluminum from bauxite ore.

The melting process in recycling plants involves:

1. Cleaning and sorting scrap aluminum

2. Shredding into chips or pellets

3. Melting in a rotary or reverberatory furnace

4. Casting into billets or slabs for reuse

This energy-efficient cycle supports green manufacturing and sustainable development across global industries.

Practical Tips for Working with Melted Aluminum

If you are working with aluminum in a melting or casting process, consider the following best practices:

• Use proper fluxes to remove impurities

• Maintain stable temperature control throughout the melting and pouring process

• Use protective equipment to prevent exposure to metal fumes or hot surfaces

• Minimize exposure to oxygen during melting to reduce oxidation

• Always preheat molds to prevent rapid cooling or thermal shock

Final Thoughts

So, what is the melting point for aluminum The answer is 660.3 degrees Celsius or 1220.5 degrees Fahrenheit for pure aluminum. This property plays a crucial role in nearly every industrial process where aluminum is used, from aerospace components to automotive parts and even household goods.

Understanding aluminum’s melting behavior allows engineers, fabricators, and manufacturers to process the metal safely, efficiently, and with full control over its mechanical properties.

With a deep understanding of aluminum metallurgy and advanced fabrication capabilities, sasaaluminum delivers high-performance aluminum flange products and custom solutions designed to perform reliably, even under thermal stress. For quality you can trust and materials engineered for tomorrow’s challenges, sasaflange is your global partner.