Melting Point of Common Metals Chart (°F and °C)

A melting point of common metals chart shows the temperature where each metal turns from solid to liquid, so you can pick the right process, filler and heat. Aluminum melts at about 1,218°F (658°C), carbon steel at about 2,500 to 2,700°F, and tungsten at 6,152°F.

These numbers matter every time you weld, braze or cut. A metal with a low melting point needs less heat and burns through fast. A metal with a high melting point needs more amperage or a hotter flame.

Our chart uses the values published by Uniweld Products, a torch and gas equipment maker. We also note where other references such as OnlineMetals and Hobart list slightly different numbers.

Melting Point of Common Metals Chart

Here are the melting points of the metals you are most likely to weld, braze or solder in a home or job shop. Values are as published by Uniweld, in °F and °C, with the low and medium carbon steel rows grouped.

Metal or alloy	Melting point (°F)	Melting point (°C)
Lead, pure	620	327
Zinc, cast or rolled	786	419
Aluminum, pure	1,218	658
Magnesium	1,240	671
Brass and bronze	1,600 to 1,660	871 to 904
Silver, pure	1,762	961
Copper	1,981	1,083
Cast and malleable iron	2,300	1,260
Monel	2,400	1,316
High carbon steel (0.40% to 0.70% C)	2,500	1,371
Stainless steel (18% Cr, 8% Ni)	2,550	1,399
Low and medium carbon steel	2,600 to 2,700	1,427 to 1,482
Nickel	2,646	1,452
Titanium	3,270	1,799
Tungsten	6,152	3,400

Source: Uniweld Products melting point chart. Rows are sorted from lowest to highest melting point.

How to Read This Chart

Pure metals such as copper, nickel and tungsten melt at one fixed temperature. Most metals you buy are alloys, and alloys melt over a range.

OnlineMetals puts it this way: there is no single melting temperature for an alloy, only a range from solidus (where melting starts) to liquidus (where it is fully liquid). A chart value is a rounded point in that range.

• Small gaps between charts are normal. Uniweld lists pure aluminum at 1,218°F, and Hobart lists 1,221°F.
• Alloys can start melting lower. The OnlineMetals melting point video puts some aluminum alloys at about 848°F, well under pure aluminum.
• More carbon lowers the steel number. In the Uniweld chart, high carbon steel (2,500°F) melts below low carbon steel (2,600°F and up).
• Use the spec sheet for exact work. For brazing or heat treating a named alloy, check the supplier’s data sheet for its solidus and liquidus.

Melting Points by Metal Family

Steel and Iron

Carbon steel melts at about 2,500 to 2,700°F in the Uniweld chart. Stainless steel with 18% chromium and 8% nickel sits close by at 2,550°F (1,399°C).

Cast iron melts lower, at about 2,300°F (1,260°C). OnlineMetals gives a wider band of 2,200 to 2,500°F for iron alloys and steel, which shows how much the grade changes the number.

Aluminum and Magnesium

Pure aluminum melts at about 1,218°F (658°C), less than half the temperature of mild steel. Magnesium is close at 1,240°F (671°C).

Aluminum is tricky because its oxide skin melts at about 3,700°F, according to Hobart. The base metal under that skin melts near 1,221°F, so you clean the oxide off before you weld.

Copper, Brass and Bronze

Copper melts at 1,981°F (1,083°C). Brass and bronze melt lower, at about 1,600 to 1,660°F (871 to 904°C) in the Uniweld chart.

OnlineMetals lists copper alloys across a wide band of 1,675 to 1,981°F. The exact number depends on how much zinc, tin or aluminum the alloy holds.

Nickel, Titanium and Tungsten

Nickel melts at 2,646°F (1,452°C) and Monel, a nickel-copper alloy, at about 2,400°F. Titanium melts at 3,270°F (1,799°C).

Tungsten tops the chart at 6,152°F (3,400°C). That is why a TIG torch uses a tungsten electrode: it carries the arc without melting into a steel or aluminum puddle.

Lead, Zinc and Other Low Melting Metals

Lead melts at 620°F (327°C) and zinc at 786°F (419°C). Both melt long before steel gets close to its melting point.

That gap matters on galvanized or painted steel. The zinc coating melts and burns off first, so remove it from the weld zone and use local exhaust or a respirator rated for metal fumes.

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Why Metal Melting Points Matter for Welding

You do not need to memorize the chart. You do need to know how far apart two metals sit and how fast heat moves through them.

• Heat input. Aluminum melts nearly 1,400°F lower than mild steel, but Hobart notes its higher thermal conductivity can still call for more current and faster travel speed.
• Burn-through. Low melting metals and thin sheet go from solid to a hole fast. Start with lower settings and test on scrap.
• Joining different metals. Steel melts more than 1,000°F above aluminum, so standard fusion welding of steel to aluminum does not work well. Shops use special transition inserts or other joining methods.
• Brazing and soldering. These processes melt only the filler, not the base metal. The AWS draws the line at 840°F (450°C): filler above it is brazing, below it is soldering.
• Electrodes and tips. Tungsten (6,152°F) and copper contact tips (1,981°F) stay solid at normal arc settings, but a copper tip held too close to the puddle can still burn back.

Safety Note: Heat, Fumes and Hot Metal

Metal does not need to melt to burn you. Steel at a dull red is still far below its melting point and will cause a serious burn.

• Wear leather gloves and FR clothing when you handle any metal near a weld or torch.
• Mark hot parts with soapstone or a “HOT” tag before you walk away.
• Remove zinc, lead paint and other coatings from the weld zone first, and use ventilation or a respirator.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close, and keep magnesium chips and grinding dust away from sparks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Metal Has the Lowest Melting Point?

Of the common shop metals in our chart, lead has the lowest melting point at 620°F (327°C), followed by zinc at 786°F (419°C). Both melt far below steel. Mercury is liquid at room temperature, but you will not weld or braze it in a home shop.

What Is the Melting Point of Steel?

Carbon steel melts at about 2,500 to 2,700°F (1,371 to 1,482°C) in the Uniweld chart. Higher carbon steel sits at the low end. Stainless steel with 18% chromium and 8% nickel melts at about 2,550°F (1,399°C), close to mild steel.

What Is the Melting Point of Aluminum?

Pure aluminum melts at about 1,218°F (658°C) in the Uniweld chart, and Hobart lists 1,221°F. Some aluminum alloys start melting at lower temperatures. The oxide skin on aluminum melts near 3,700°F, which is why you clean it off before you weld.

Which Metal Has the Highest Melting Point?

Tungsten has the highest melting point of the metals in our chart at 6,152°F (3,400°C). That is why TIG welders use tungsten electrodes. The electrode carries the arc and stays solid because steel and aluminum puddles melt thousands of degrees lower.

Why Do Charts List Different Melting Points for the Same Metal?

Most metals you buy are alloys, and alloys melt over a range from solidus to liquidus. Each reference rounds or picks a different point in that range. Pure aluminum shows as 1,218°F in one chart and 1,221°F in another, so treat small gaps as normal.

Final Words

A melting point of common metals chart gives you a quick map of how much heat each metal can take. Lead and zinc melt first, aluminum and brass sit in the middle, and steel, nickel and titanium need far more heat.

Use the chart for planning, then check the data sheet for the exact alloy you are welding or brazing. Start with test pieces, keep your coatings off the weld zone, and adjust your settings to the metal in front of you.