Aluminum Melting Point Explained – Why Temperature Matters in Metalworking 

Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals in modern manufacturing—and one of the most thermally efficient. Understanding its melting point is essential for engineers, machinists, and designers working with casting, welding, recycling, and fabrication. 

What Is the Melting Point of Aluminum?

The melting point of pure aluminum is 660.32 °C (1220.58 °F). This temperature is the point where aluminum transitions from solid to liquid under standard atmospheric pressure.

Knowing this exact point is crucial for:

• Setting correct furnace temperatures
  
  

• Preventing overheating or structural deformation
  
  

• Ensuring consistency in thermal processing
  
  

• Designing tooling and molds for casting

This value is widely confirmed by authoritative sources such as:

• MatWeb – Aluminum Data

• Engineering Toolbox – Melting Points

• Wikipedia – Melting Point
  
  

This relatively low temperature contributes to aluminum’s energy-efficient processing.

Why Does the Melting Point of Aluminum Matter?

Aluminum’s low melting point makes it ideal for:

• Casting – Requires less energy and simplifies mold design
  
  

• Welding – Needs lower heat input, reducing distortion
  
  

• Recycling – Melts at low energy cost (about 5% of primary production energy)
  
  

• Thermal Design – Crucial for avoiding softening/deformation in high-heat environments
  
  

According to the ASM Handbook, understanding melting behavior is essential for process control in metalworking.

Melting Range of Aluminum Alloys

Unlike pure aluminum, which has a fixed melting point of 660.32 °C, aluminum alloys melt over a range of temperatures, known as the melting range—from the solidus (start melting) to the liquidus (fully melted). Here are some common examples:

• 6061 Alloy: Melting range is approximately 582 °C to 652 °C.
  → Commonly used for structural components and CNC machined parts due to its strength and workability.
  
  

• 7075 Alloy: Melting range is approximately 475 °C to 635 °C.
  → Known for high strength, used in aerospace and demanding applications.
  
  

• 2024 Alloy: Melting range is approximately 500 °C to 638 °C.
  → Popular in transportation and aircraft applications due to excellent fatigue resistance.
  
  

These ranges are influenced by alloying elements such as magnesium, silicon, and copper. The melting behavior of each alloy must be considered in casting, forging, and thermal design.

Data from MatWeb and Engineering Toolbox 

Applications in Industry

Aluminum’s thermal characteristics make it ideal for:

• Die casting – Controlled melting improves flow and reduces porosity
  
  

• Welding – Lower energy input required vs steel
  
  

• 3D printing / additive manufacturing – Laser power tuned precisely to melting point
  
  

• Recycling – Melt scrap with far less energy than other metals
  
  

• Heat exchangers – Use aluminum for its low melting point and high conductivity
  
  

The ASM Handbook emphasizes the importance of understanding melting points when fabricating aluminum parts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does aluminum melt at a lower temperature than steel or copper?
Aluminum has weaker metallic bonds compared to iron or copper, requiring less energy to break them and turn solid into liquid.

Q2: Do aluminum alloys have fixed melting points?
No. Alloys melt over a range depending on their composition. For instance, 6061 starts melting at 582 °C but is fully liquid at 652 °C.

Q3: What happens if aluminum overheats?
Overheating beyond the liquidus can cause excessive fluidity, burn-off of alloying elements, or mold damage during casting.

Q4: How is aluminum melting point measured?
Typically via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) or standardized tests under controlled lab conditions.

👤 About the Author

Alex Liao is the lead engineer at EKINSUN, with over 10 years of experience in CNC machining, materials engineering, and product design. He specializes in simplifying technical workflows for global engineers and manufacturers. His team has delivered precision parts for aerospace, robotics, and medical sectors across 12+ countries.

🔗 Visit EKINSUN’s Engineering Team
📧 For technical inquiries: support@ekinsun.ltd

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Key Takeaways

• Pure aluminum melts at 660.32 °C
  
  

• Alloy melting points vary depending on composition
  
  

• Lower melting point = better energy efficiency
  
  

• Crucial for welding, casting, and recycling processes

About EKINSUN

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