The melting point is the temperature at which a solid transforms into a liquid. This is commonly referred to as the melting temperature for metals, however it is determined by the metal’s atomic structure and chemical composition. Engineers and fabricators need to know the steel melting temperature so that they can determine which metal to form, weld, or cast.
This blog will go over the temperature at which steel melts, how different types of steel respond when heated, the steel melting process, and other topics.
What Is a Melting Point?
The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid. Metals reach a point where they lose their hard structure and become fluid.
Because steel and other alloys contain numerous elements, the notion becomes more complicated. This is where the phrases solidus and liquidus come in.
Solidus: The temperature below which the metal becomes fully solid
Liquidus: The temperature above which the metal is completely liquid
Between these two temperatures, steel is partially melted or “mushy”.
What is the Melting Point of Steel?
The melting point of steel is the temperature at which the metal transitions from a solid to a liquid. This range for steel is normally between 1370°C and 1530°C (or 2500°F to 2800°F), depending on the composition of the specific steel grade.
Because steel is an alloy, its melting properties are not fixed. Each steel grade is created by mixing iron with elements such as carbon, nickel, chromium, vanadium, and manganese, all of which affect the ultimate steel melting temperature.
For instance:
Carbon steel’s melting point differs greatly from that of stainless steel.
Similarly, low-carbon and high-carbon steels have different melting characteristics.
The melting point of stainless steel is influenced by its nickel and chromium content, which offer strength and corrosion resistance.
Because of the high temperature required to melt steel, this material is perfect for industries requiring tremendous heat, such as aerospace, power plants, chemical processing, and construction.
Melting Points of Different Steels
The melting point of steel varies with its composition. Each variety of steel contains unique alloying elements that affect its physical qualities, notably its melting temperature. The four primary steel categories are listed here, along with their associated steel melting temperatures.
| Type of Steel | Typical Melting Point Range (°C) | Typical Melting Point Range (°F) |
| Carbon Steel | 1410°C – 1530°C | 2570°F – 2785°F |
| Stainless Steel | 1375°C – 1530°C | 2500°F – 2785°F |
| Alloy Steel | 1400°C – 1500°C | 2550°F – 2730°F |
| Tool Steel | ~1420°C | ~2590°F |
Carbon Steel
The most prevalent type of steel is carbon steel, which is mostly made of iron and carbon with trace amounts of other elements. It typically has a carbon content ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 percent and a melting point of 1410 o C to 1530 o C (2570 o F to 2785 o F).
Carbon steel is further classified into:
Low-carbon steel: 0.30 percent or less carbon
Medium-carbon steel: 0.30-0.60 carbon %
High-carbon steel: 0.60%-2.00% carbon
The carbon steel melting point typically decreases with increasing carbon content, influencing weldability and hardness.
Alloy Steel
Alloy steels are created by adding nickel, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum to carbon steel. These additives increase its strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance.
The melting point of alloy steel varies between 1400°C and 1500°C depending on the specific elements used. Alloy steels are widely employed in a number of applications, including pipelines, automotive parts, and heavy equipment.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a type of alloy steel that contains at least 10.5% chromium, which significantly improves corrosion resistance. It may also contain nickel, molybdenum, and nitrogen for a range of beneficial characteristics.
The melting temperature of stainless steel typically ranges from 1375° C to 1530° C (or 2500° F to 2785° F), depending on the grade. Stainless steels are extremely adaptable, non-oxidizing, and corrosion-resistant, making them an excellent choice for cooking pots and pans, medical instruments, and chemical treatment plants.
Tool Steel
Tool steel is specifically designed to be extremely robust and resistant to heat, wear, and abrasion. It is primarily used to produce cutting tools, dies, and other industrial machinery. Tungsten, vanadium, and chromium are among the elements included in tool steels, which maintain them hard at higher temperatures. The average melting temperature of tool steel is around 1420° C.
Factors That Influence Steel’s Melting Point
Although steel has a relatively high melting point in its pure form, a variety of external and internal factors can influence the temperature required to melt steel. Depending on the composition and climatic conditions, these influences can cause the steel melting temperature to rise or fall.
Here are the key factors:
Alloying Elements : Steel is often alloyed with other metals to increase its stiffness or flexibility. For example, stainless steel is made up of iron, chromium, nickel, and other metals, which strongly influence how it behaves and is created when warmed. Steel’s melting point can fluctuate based on the variety and scale of the alloying elements. This is why the melting temperatures of various types of steel varies.
Impurities : Even tiny levels of contaminants can affect the internal structure of steel. Impurity elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus can damage the crystal structure of the metal, resulting in a lower steel melting temperature. Impurities are mostly removed throughout the refining process in order for the material to work properly.
Additives : Additives are placed in the steel mix for specific goals such as strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and so on. Nickel, copper, tungsten, and titanium are known additives that improve the melting point of steel, allowing it to be used in high-temperature applications.
Pressure : Environmental pressure influences the temperature at which steel is melted, as it does with many other metals. Generally:
- High pressure will increase melting point.
- Low pressure will decrease melting point.
Why Does Melting Point Matter in Industrial Applications?
Steel’s widespread use in industries originates from its remarkable mechanical characteristics and ability to work under high temperatures. But what actually distinguishes it in many industries is its high melting point, which makes it a reliable material in conditions with extreme temperatures.
Let’s look at how steel’s melting point impacts real-world industrial applications:
Manufacturing
Steel melting temperature is crucial in manufacturing, particularly in the automobile, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries. The steel melting temperature governs how and at what temperature steel components can be formed or welded in the production process. Knowing the temperature required to melt steel can also help manufacturers choose a specific grade of steel when subjected to thermal or mechanical loads in service.
Construction
Construction projects rely on the usage of appropriate steel kinds on a variety of structural elements. Columns, beams, and rebar are all made of steel, and their melting points vary depending on whether they are weight bearing or fire resistant. The fact that steel’s melting point is known demonstrates that all qualities of materials can withstand high temperatures.
Energy & Power Sector
Energy production is one of the few businesses that tests materials for limits. Power plants, turbines, pipelines, and electrical transmission systems frequently expose components to extreme temperatures and pressures. Steels with high melting points, such as stainless steel or alloy steel, are important here. Their capacity to tolerate high temperatures without deforming or failing renders them invaluable in thermal and nuclear power.
The Process of Melting Steel
Steel is melted utilizing modern steelmaking procedures, which use tremendous heat to transform solid metals into liquids. The two main technologies utilized today are the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF), also known as the blast furnace. Each method is critical in industrial-scale production where steel melting temperature control is required.
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Method
The Electric Arc Furnace uses electricity to generate enough heat to melt steel. This is how it works.
Scrap steel and additives (if needed) are fed into the furnace.
When the furnace is turned on, it generates an electrical arc from the electrodes to the scrap steel and the charge.
These arcs (or arcs) produce intense heat. It is expected to reach 3000°C, which is far higher than the typical temperature for melting steel.
The scrap metal melts, separating the impurities from the liquid steel.
Once the steel has been cleansed, we add the desired alloying elements to improve qualities such as corrosion resistance and hardness.
The molten steel is subsequently cast, rolled, or forged into billets, slabs, or other specialized shapes.
Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF), or Blast Furnace Method
This procedure starts with basic resources including iron ore, coal, and limestone, which are processed into pig iron. Here’s how the blast furnace operates:
Pig iron, combined with a small percentage of scrap, is introduced into the furnace.
Nozzles direct pre-heated air or pure oxygen into the furnace.
This elevates the interior temperature sufficiently to exceed the melting point of steel, while also oxidizing impurities such as sulfur and carbon.
Gaseous byproducts, such as carbon dioxide, are evacuated, while undesirable components are removed as slag.
Once the molten steel has reached the correct composition, the procedure is similar to the EAF: refining, alloying, and shaping.
Both methods must achieve and sustain temperatures between 1370°C to 1530°C, which is the normal steel melting point.
Conclusion
The melting point of steel is an important feature that determines how it behaves when heated. Steel’s melting point is the temperature at which it turns from a solid to a liquid. Generally, it is between 1370C and 1530C (or 2500C and 2800C), however this might vary depending on the nature and composition of the steel.
Before deciding on a project, it is a good idea to understand the melting points of carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel. Knowing the melting point allows you to select the appropriate material for your project, maintain the manufacturing process accurate, and minimize thermal flaws produced by inappropriate thermal processing.
At Newzel Industries, we provide a wide range of steel products appropriate for heavy-duty industrial applications. Our technological talents and high-quality solutions enable our customers to eliminate thermal flaws, improve performance, and meet strict project requirements.
