Technical report · XNC-TR-2026-01Melting point chartMelting point guideMaterials

Where metals and plastics start to melt.

October 21, 2026By Xeon NC Engineering14 min read48 materials · 38 sources
Abstract flowing orange and blue forms, illustrating heat and melting
Solid to liquid

Abstract

We compiled the temperature at which each of 48 materials starts and finishes melting — the 19 we offer and 29 common reference metals and plastics, including copper alloys, titanium, Inconel, Monel and Hastelloy — and checked every value on our melting point chart against published sources. Of the 36 values with a published counterpart, 36 (100%) agree within 5 °C, and none differs by more than that. 11 plain carbon steels have no published melting range; we estimated them from the iron–carbon phase diagram and show the working.

The data support four findings: materials fall into four non-overlapping temperature bands; alloys melt over ranges as wide as 158 °C, so the solidus is the design number; creep begins at a fraction of the melting temperature; and several routine shop processes run within 52 °C of an alloy's solidus.

Key findings

  1. Four bands, no overlap. Plastics 105–343 °C; Aluminum and magnesium 477–657 °C; Copper alloys 855–1,083 °C; Steel, stainless, nickel and titanium 1,260–1,665 °C. Changing family moves a part hundreds of degrees; changing grade within a family moves it tens.
  2. Alloys melt over a range. 7075-T6 starts melting at 477 °C and is not fully liquid until 635 °C — a 158 °C window. CP titanium Grade 2 melts at a single 1,665 °C. Grain boundaries melt at the solidus, so that is where a part fails.
  3. Strength goes long before shape. Creep becomes significant above about 0.4 of the absolute melting temperature: 69 °C for 6061-T6, 424 °C for A36 HR pickled & oiled, 396 °C for 304 stainless.
  4. Shop processes run close to the solidus. 6061 is solution heat treated about 52 °C below its solidus, and aluminum furnace brazing at about 590 °C runs 8 °C above it. The zinc on G90 melts 1,075 °C before the steel under it.

01Why the solidus, not “the melting point.”

A pure metal melts at one temperature. An alloy does not: it starts to melt at the solidus, when the lowest-melting regions — usually the grain boundaries, where alloying elements concentrate — turn liquid, and finishes at the liquidus, when the last solid dissolves. Between the two the metal is a slush of solid grains in liquid, with no useful strength.

Charts that list a single “melting point” for 6061 or 304 usually quote the liquidus, or a midpoint. For anything a part has to survive — a furnace, a braze cycle, a fire rating — that number is optimistic by the full width of the melting range. Our chart therefore draws each alloy as a bar from solidus to liquidus. This report sets out where each value comes from and how closely it agrees with the published record.

Melting is the outer boundary, not the working limit. Section 3.4 shows how far below it strength and creep resistance give out, and how close some routine fabrication processes come to it.

02Data and method.

2.1 Material set

The set is every grade in our sheet catalog (16 grades), the 3 HP Multi Jet Fusion nylons we print, and 29 reference materials that customers ask us to compare against: the other grades in our materials library, plus C932 and C954 bronze, Inconel 600 and 718, Monel 400 and K-500, and Hastelloy C-276 — the nickel alloys machined most often.

2.2 Sources

For each material we looked for, in order: the producer's data sheet (Special Metals, Haynes, HP); an industry association or handbook (Aluminum Association, Copper Development Association, ASM); and only then a compiled database. Each value in Table 1 cites the source it was checked against. Typical values are reported; a heat of metal can sit a few degrees either side within its specification.

2.3 Carbon steel: estimated from the phase diagram

Steel mills publish strength and chemistry, but rarely a melting range for plain carbon steel. For these grades we read solidus and liquidus off the iron–carbon diagram at each grade's typical carbon content, using the standard reference points: pure iron melts at 1538 °C, the peritectic sits at 1495 °C, and the eutectic at 1148 °C.[12]

Liquidus and solidus, linearised between the reference pointsTL(C) = 1538 − 81·C  (C ≤ 0.53%)
TS(C) = 1495 − 179·(C − 0.17)  (0.17% ≤ C ≤ 2.11%)

Manganese, silicon, chromium and molybdenum lower both lines a little, so the chart values sit up to 39 °C below the binary diagram for the alloyed grades (Fig. 2). They are marked ≈ on the chart.

Fe–C diagram · carbon steel estimates123456ABFE–C DIAGRAM · CARBON STEEL ESTIMATESXNC-MP-F2 · REV A1300135014001450150015500.00.20.40.60.81.0CARBON · WT %°CLIQUIDUSSOLIDUSPERITECTIC 1,495 °CLIQUID + γγ AUSTENITELIQUIDA10081018A3641401095GRADE · %CFe–CCHARTA1008 · 0.081,500–1,5321,495–1,530Δ SOL -5 · Δ LIQ -21018 · 0.181,493–1,5231,480–1,515Δ SOL -13 · Δ LIQ -8A36 · 0.251,481–1,5181,470–1,515Δ SOL -11 · Δ LIQ -34140 · 0.401,454–1,5061,415–1,495Δ SOL -39 · Δ LIQ -111095 · 0.951,355–1,4561,350–1,455Δ SOL -5 · Δ LIQ -1
Fig. 2The iron–carbon diagram between 0 and 1.1% carbon, linearised between its reference points. Each grade's typical carbon content gives a solidus and liquidus (dots); the table compares them with the alloy-adjusted values on our chart.

2.4 Creep threshold

To show where strength gives out, the chart shades each metal from its homologous temperature of 0.4 — four tenths of its solidus, measured in kelvin — upward. Above that, diffusion is fast enough that a part under steady load slowly creeps.[37] It is a rule of thumb, not an allowable: design to the alloy's elevated-temperature data.

Creep onset, rule of thumbTcreep ≈ 0.4 × (TS + 273.15) − 273.15  °C

2.5 Plastics

Semi-crystalline plastics (nylon, acetal, PEEK, PTFE, UHMW) have a melting point, Tm, measured by differential scanning calorimetry.[38] Amorphous plastics (ABS, polycarbonate, acrylic) never melt sharply; we report their glass transition, Tg, where they soften.

03Results.

3.1 Four temperature bands

Plotted on one axis, the 48 materials fall into four bands that do not overlap (Fig. 1). The gap between plastics and aluminum is over 134 °C; between aluminum and copper, about 198 °C; between copper and the iron, nickel and titanium alloys, about 177 °C.

Melting range of 48 materials123456ABCMELTING RANGE OF 48 MATERIALSXNC-MP-F1 · REV A02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,6001,800TEMPERATURE · °CBAND 1BAND 2BAND 3BAND 4ALUMINUM1100-H145052-H326061-T6MIC-6 cast plate7075-T63003-H142024-T3MAGNESIUMMagnesium AZ31B-H24COPPER ALLOYSC110 copper, half hardC954 aluminum bronzeC260 cartridge brass, half ha…C360 free-cutting brassC932 bearing bronzeCARBON & ALLOY STEELA1008 cold rolledA1008 electro-galvanizedG90 galvanizedA36 HR pickled & oiledA36 mill finishHSLAS Grade 50Corten (weathering)AR500Spring steel 1075 / 10951018 cold drawn4140 annealedSTAINLESS STEEL30431643017-4 PH, H900303NICKEL ALLOYSInconel 600Hastelloy C-276Monel K-500Monel 400Inconel 625, annealedInconel 718TITANIUMCP titanium Grade 2Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)PLASTICSPA-11 (HP MJF)PA-12 (HP MJF)PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)PEEK (unfilled)PTFE (Teflon)Nylon 6/6 (dry)Acetal homopolymer (Delrin)PolycarbonateUHMW polyethyleneABSAcrylic (PMMA)
Fig. 1Melting range of every material on the chart. Bars run from solidus to liquidus; dots are single melting points; open diamonds are glass transitions of amorphous plastics. The faint amber line under each metal is its creep range, from 0.4 Tm to the solidus. Squares mark the 420 °C zinc coating on galvanized steel. Dashed bars are estimates. Bold names are materials we offer.

3.2 Agreement with published values

Fig. 3 plots each chart value against its published counterpart. Points on the diagonal agree exactly. Of 36 checked materials, 36 agree within 5 °C at both ends of the range, and none differs by more than that. The largest deviation is 5 °C, for 304. The 11 carbon steels are listed as estimates, not matches. No producer publishes their melting range; the one database that lists them gives the same 1,420–1,460 °C for A36, 1018 and 4140 alike — a generic band, not grade data. Our phase-diagram values sit 20–70 °C above it, because the equilibrium diagram describes steel that freezes evenly, and real steel does not. We keep the diagram values, marked ≈, and treat the gap as the uncertainty (Section 4). 1 value could not be confirmed from an open source and is marked unconfirmed.

Chart value against published value123456ABCHART VALUE AGAINST PUBLISHED VALUEXNC-MP-F3 · REV A002502505005007507501,0001,0001,2501,2501,5001,5001,7501,750PUBLISHED VALUE · °CCHART VALUE · °CDEVIATION · 61 VALUES0 °C541–5 °C76–15 °C0> 15 °C0MEDIAN 0 °C · MAX 5 °CCHART = PUBLISHED
Fig. 3Chart value against published value, both ends of each range. Green: within 5 °C; amber: within 15 °C; orange: more. The inset counts the deviations.
Table 1Every chart value and the source it was checked against, °C. Δ max is the larger of the solidus and liquidus differences. “Listing”: value read from a search listing; the page would not open.
MaterialChartPublishedΔ maxResultSource
1100-H14643–657643–6570Match ≤ 5 °C[1]
5052-H32607–649607–6490Match ≤ 5 °C[5] listing
6061-T6582–652582–6520Match ≤ 5 °C[2]
MIC-6 cast plate540–640——Unconfirmed No published melting range found for MIC-6; chart value is approximate.
7075-T6477–635477–6350Match ≤ 5 °C[3]
3003-H14643–654643–6540Match ≤ 5 °C[1]
2024-T3502–638502–6380Match ≤ 5 °C[4] [1]
Magnesium AZ31B-H24605–630605–6300Match ≤ 5 °C[6] secondary source
C110 copper, half hard1,065–1,0831,065–1,0830Match ≤ 5 °C[7] listing
C954 aluminum bronze1,027–1,0381,027–1,0380Match ≤ 5 °C[9]
C260 cartridge brass, half hard915–955916–9541Match ≤ 5 °C[8]
C360 free-cutting brass885–900888–8993Match ≤ 5 °C[10] listing; 1,630–1,650 °F
C932 bearing bronze855–977854–9771Match ≤ 5 °C[11] listing
A1008 cold rolled1,495–1,530Fe–C—Estimate[12]
A1008 electro-galvanized1,495–1,530Fe–C—Estimate[12]
G90 galvanized1,495–1,530Fe–C—Estimate[12]
A36 HR pickled & oiled1,470–1,515Fe–C · DB 1,420–1,460—Estimate[12] [13] MakeItFrom lists the same 1,420–1,460 band for every plain carbon steel.
A36 mill finish1,470–1,515Fe–C · DB 1,420–1,460—Estimate[12] [13] MakeItFrom lists the same 1,420–1,460 band for every plain carbon steel.
HSLAS Grade 501,470–1,515Fe–C—Estimate[12]
Corten (weathering)1,470–1,515Fe–C—Estimate[12]
AR5001,430–1,500Fe–C—Estimate[12]
Spring steel 1075 / 10951,350–1,455Fe–C · DB 1,410–1,450—Estimate[12] [13]
1018 cold drawn1,480–1,515Fe–C · DB 1,420–1,460—Estimate[12] [13] MakeItFrom lists the same 1,420–1,460 band for every plain carbon steel.
4140 annealed1,415–1,495Fe–C · DB 1,420–1,460—Estimate[12] [13] MakeItFrom lists the same 1,420–1,460 band for every plain carbon steel.
3041,400–1,4551,400–1,4505Match ≤ 5 °C[14]
3161,375–1,4001,375–1,4000Match ≤ 5 °C[14]
4301,425–1,5101,425–1,5100Match ≤ 5 °C[14]
17-4 PH, H9001,404–1,4401,404–1,4400Match ≤ 5 °C[16] [14]
3031,400–1,4201,400–1,4200Match ≤ 5 °C[15] listing
Inconel 6001,354–1,4131,354–1,4130Match ≤ 5 °C[19]
Hastelloy C-2761,323–1,3711,323–1,3710Match ≤ 5 °C[24] listing
Monel K-5001,315–1,3501,315–1,3500Match ≤ 5 °C[23] listing
Monel 4001,300–1,3501,300–1,3500Match ≤ 5 °C[22] listing
Inconel 625, annealed1,290–1,3501,290–1,3500Match ≤ 5 °C[20]
Inconel 7181,260–1,3361,260–1,3360Match ≤ 5 °C[21]
CP titanium Grade 21,6651,6650Match ≤ 5 °C[17]
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)1,604–1,6601,604–1,6600Match ≤ 5 °C[18]
PA-11 (HP MJF)Tm 2022020Match ≤ 5 °C[27]
PA-12 (HP MJF)Tm 1871870Match ≤ 5 °C[26] listing
PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)Tm 1861860Match ≤ 5 °C[28] listing
PEEK (unfilled)Tm 3433430Match ≤ 5 °C[31]
PTFE (Teflon)Tm 3273270Match ≤ 5 °C[33] no producer datasheet found
Nylon 6/6 (dry)Tm 2622620Match ≤ 5 °C[29]
Acetal homopolymer (Delrin)Tm 1781780Match ≤ 5 °C[30] Delrin 100ST grade
PolycarbonateTg 1471470Match ≤ 5 °C[34] Makrolon grades 144–148
UHMW polyethyleneTm 1351350Match ≤ 5 °C[32]
ABSTg 1051061Match ≤ 5 °C[35]
Acrylic (PMMA)Tg 1051050Match ≤ 5 °C[36] generic; commercial grades 108–122

3.3 How wide the melting range is

The widest ranges belong to the heavily alloyed and leaded grades. They matter twice: the part fails earlier than a single “melting point” suggests, and a wide mushy zone is what makes an alloy prone to hot cracking when it is welded — 7075 is the textbook case.

Table 2The six widest melting ranges on the chart, °C.
MaterialSolidusLiquidusRange
7075-T6477635158
2024-T3502638136
C932 bearing bronze855977122
Spring steel 1075 / 10951,3501,455105
MIC-6 cast plate540640100
4301,4251,51085

3.4 The service window

For the metals we offer, Fig. 4 splits the temperature axis into three: below the creep threshold, between it and the solidus, and the melting range. For the aluminums the green window ends below 100 °C; for the steels and stainless, above 400 °C. Precipitation-hardened tempers lose strength sooner still: a T6 part held above about 150 °C over-ages permanently.

Service window · offered metals123456ABSERVICE WINDOW · OFFERED METALSXNC-MP-F4 · REV A02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,6001,800TEMPERATURE · °CPOWDER-COAT CURE 200ZINC MELTS 4206061 SOLUTION HEAT TREAT 530ALUMINUM FURNACE BRAZE 5901100-H1493 / 6435052-H3279 / 6076061-T669 / 582MIC-6 cast plate52 / 5407075-T627 / 477A1008 cold rolled434 / 1,495A1008 electro-galvanized434 / 1,495G90 galvanized434 / 1,495A36 HR pickled & oiled424 / 1,470A36 mill finish424 / 1,470HSLAS Grade 50424 / 1,470Corten (weathering)424 / 1,470AR500408 / 1,430Spring steel 1075 / 1095376 / 1,350304396 / 1,400316386 / 1,375
Fig. 4Service window of each metal we offer. Green: up to the 0.4 Tm creep threshold; amber: creep range up to the solidus; orange: melting range. Labels give creep onset / solidus in °C. Vertical lines are shop processes.

3.5 Shop processes against the data

Table 3Offered materials already melting at each process temperature, and those within 60 °C of their solidus.
Process°CMelting at or belowWithin 60 °C
Powder-coat cure200PA-12 (HP MJF), PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)—
Zinc melts420PA-11 (HP MJF), PA-12 (HP MJF), PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)7075-T6 (57 °C margin)
6061 solution heat treat5307075-T6, PA-11 (HP MJF), PA-12 (HP MJF), PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)6061-T6 (52 °C margin), MIC-6 cast plate (10 °C margin)
Aluminum furnace braze5906061-T6, MIC-6 cast plate, 7075-T6, PA-11 (HP MJF), PA-12 (HP MJF), PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)1100-H14 (53 °C margin), 5052-H32 (17 °C margin)
Copper brazing of steel1,1201100-H14, 5052-H32, 6061-T6, MIC-6 cast plate, 7075-T6, PA-11 (HP MJF), PA-12 (HP MJF), PA-12 glass bead (HP MJF)—

The aluminum results are the practical ones. 6061 is solution heat treated about 52 °C below its solidus — overshoot and the grain boundaries melt, which ruins the part. That narrow window is why heat treatment happens in controlled furnaces. 7075's solidus of 477 °C is below 6061's heat-treat temperature, so the two cannot share a furnace cycle.

04Limitations.

  • Typical values. Solidus and liquidus move a few degrees with chemistry inside a specification. When a margin is under about 20 °C, ask for the heat's certified analysis.
  • Carbon steel estimates. The 11 carbon steels are read from the Fe–C diagram and adjusted for alloying. Compiled databases list them up to about 70 °C lower, so treat their solidus as uncertain by that much. It does not change a comparison between families, but it is too coarse for a process window — get certified data for that.
  • Weaker evidence. Rows marked “listing” were checked against the value shown in a search listing because the page itself would not open; rows citing a secondary source or an encyclopedia are flagged too. MIC-6 has no published range and stays approximate.
  • Creep threshold. 0.4 Tm marks where creep becomes significant, not an allowable stress or temperature. Use code or data-sheet elevated-temperature properties for design.
  • Plastics. Tm and Tg are not working limits. Heat deflection temperature and continuous-use temperature on the datasheet are.

05Conclusion.

The chart's numbers hold up: 36 of 36 values agree with their published source within 5 °C. The carbon steels are the exception that the data cannot settle — no grade-specific range is published, so we show the phase-diagram working and the size of the uncertainty instead of a citation. The useful conclusions for a part are the ones the data make plain — pick the family for the temperature, design to the solidus, and expect strength to fall far below it.

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