When a metal is heated, its particles vibrate more rapidly as they absorb kinetic energy. This increases their amplitude of vibration until it becomes large enough to disturb the atoms of neighboring particles and disrupt their attractive forces, which causes the solid to begin melting. The point at which this happens is the melting temperature of that particular metal. For alloys, the melting temperatures are a range that depends on the composition of the alloy.
Melting points are generally determined using X-ray diffraction. As the sample is heated, the X-rays emitted from its crystal structure change shape and intensity, which provides information about the solid’s internal structure. The first appearance of diffuse scattering indicates that the sample has reached its melting point.
The invention relates to a process for the melting of nickel, which dispensing with the use of crucibles and produces more economically and quickly than heretofore practically pure fluid nickel. My new method comprises the steps of subjecting a column of a mixture of nickel in granular form and fuel directly to heat generated by the white-hot fuel, passing large quantities of air under excessive pressure upwardly through said column to assure that the temperature therein is higher than the melting point of the nickel, thereby oxidizing the carbon in the nickel, allowing the melting nickel to flow downwardly through the mass and into a receptacle from which it may be drawn off or poured as required.
This article covers copper-nickel alloys and their melting points, which are important to understand for engineers and other professionals working with these metals. This is especially relevant to anyone who uses copper-nickel alloys in their work, such as those involved in the aerospace industry, because it helps them to determine which metals are best suited for certain types of applications.