Q&A for How to Melt Aluminum

If the aluminum is pure, then melting it is not toxic, although the high level of heat required to melt it can be dangerous, so all care must be taken when melting it. Scrap aluminum is another matter; unless you know exactly what else forms part of the scrap containing aluminum, there is a risk of toxic substances being present (e.g. plastics, paints, veneers, etc.) that may be released when melting the aluminum. If you don't know how pure the aluminum is, assume it may contain or be coated with toxic substances.

Aluminum will melt when the temperature is 660.32°C, 1220.58°F. This is a relatively low melting point for a metal.

Yes, this is possible provided you have the right equipment that can control the melting process with ease (such as in a small foundry, kiln or furnace), a suitable space either outdoors or in a shed/garage, etc.-- a non-flammable, well ventilated, spacious area--and you carefully follow the instructions set out in this article. Melting aluminum at home is potentially dangerous and should only be performed by a responsible adult, using the right equipment.

The melting point of aluminum cans is the same as the melting point for aluminum, which is 660.32°C, 1220.58°F.

No. Heating aluminum in your microwave can start a fire and destroy your microwave oven.

The short answer is yes. However, you must have an air blower to create the amount of heat necessary to reach the melting point. Do not do that indoors as it can be a fire hazard.

You can melt aluminum in a fire pit. However, this is extremely unsafe.

It should. You can melt glass with a propane torch and that's supposed to require 1300F temp - about 200F higher than aluminum. Like the question of whether you can melt it with a wood stove, though, it depends on your burner. If you're using a regular flame (ie. you see orange flames) I don't think it will work. You need something that sucks in air from the back like a blowtorch or Bunsen burner.

if you melted it properly, you should have about three minutes or more, depending on how hot it was, to pour it into the molds. Just constantly keep an eye on it and move swiftly but carefully. If it solidifies, you'll need to remelt it.

It can take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes depending on the temperature of the heat source.

No. Most electric stoves do not get hot enough.

It depends on the size of the project, and how much aluminum you have.

Yes! All you need is two aluminum cans and a good liquid fuel. Take the bottoms from the cans, punch holes around the rim of one, and a hole in the middle dimple, then put the cans together so that the bottoms from both are pointing outwards. Then pour some lighter fluid (or gasoline) in the center dimple so it will flow into the stove, wait for a minute for the vapors to settle or evaporate so it doesn't explode, and light it.

It depends on how fine of a crucible you want to make. Finer sand will make a much smoother crucible, while regular sand will be rougher.

Yes.

No, it won't work. But you can drill and tap the holes and put in a repair-thread.

Aluminum can melt at 1220 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aluminum will not burn like wood does due to their differences in chemical makeup. Aluminum is an elemental metal, whereas wood is an organic compound.

No. Aluminum does not act like a semi-sold when it melts. However, the slag can make it appear more like a goo.

Anything made of steel (not stainless steel) is good. Steel melts at about 2500 degrees, so the aluminum will be melted far before the steel is affected. An example would be a steel fire extinguisher cut in half. You can tell it's steel because a magnet will stick to it. Alternatively, you could simply purchase a graphite crucible online.

It could be that your foundry is not hot enough, and by the time you try to pour, it has already started to solidify.

No. The Bigg Dipper is designed to melt lead and does not get hot enough to melt aluminum.

Molten aluminum will not immediately harden when placed on cooled aluminum. It will likely run off of the harden aluminum and create a fire hazard.

The average price is 85 cents a pound.

In order to melt aluminum wire, place it in a crucible with other pieces of aluminum wire and heat it to a temperature of 1220 degrees Fahrenheit.

No, the molten aluminum will melt the wax

I think that's up to you. If they look sculptural, you can call them found art, or you can come up with a creative way to incorporate it into a type of collage.

It depends on your foundry. I would not recommend galvanized pipe, as the galvanization will probably melt off.

You can, but be careful, as improper depressurization of the extinguisher may cause rapid decompression and it may explode. Allow it to vent overnight, to ensure total depressurization. Then, use an angle grinder, dremel, or metal-rated saw to cut to desired size.

Unless you heat the receiving metal to be patched before introducing the melted aluminum, it most likely won’t stick.