Lead has the lowest melting point of all the metals. This makes it a great material for a variety of projects, from making horseshoes to soldering electronic components.
The melting point is a temperature at which the disruptive vibrations of a solid overcome its attractive forces. It’s a critical element of understanding how metals melt.
How to determine the melting point of a sample
The easiest way to determine the melting point of a sample is by placing it in a capillary tube and heating it until it melts. This is a simple but effective technique that can be used by anyone.
Using this method, you can measure the percentage of light that is transmitted through the sample as it melts. This information can then be compared to the furnace temperature and a melting point can be determined.
A capillary tube is placed in a heated stand (liquid bath or metal block) and the sample is introduced at a user-programmable fixed rate. The temperature of the liquid bath or metal block is ramped to the desired rate and the sample is then visually inspected to see if it melts.
The melting point of a metal is an important consideration for any engineer working with heat-sensitive electronics. Knowing the melting point of a particular material can help you choose the best heating source for a specific application, and avoid potential hazards like fires or burns.