Have you ever noticed how steel changes color when heated? This fascinating phenomenon reveals crucial information about the metal’s temperature and properties. In this article, we explore the relationship between steel’s color and its temperature, providing a practical guide for identifying these changes. From dark brown to bright white, each hue corresponds to a specific temperature range, offering valuable insights for metalworking and engineering applications. Read on to understand how this knowledge can enhance your work with steel.
Steel has different colors at different temperatures. For ease of identification, the colors of steel at different temperatures have been compared and summarized for practical use.
The heating color in the rectangular box refers to the color of the heating steel bar as seen through the observation hole of the furnace under normal fluorescent room temperature illumination conditions of approximately 500 lux.
Relationship between fire color and temperature in steel heating
| Fire color | Temperature (℃) |
| Dark brown | 520——580 |
| Dark red | 580—650 |
| Dark cherry | 650—750 |
| Cherry red | 750—780 |
| Light cherry red | 780—800 |
| Light red | 800—830 |
| Orange yellow reddish | 830—850 |
| Pale color | 880—1050 |
| Yellow | 1050—1150 |
| Canary yellow | 1150—1250 |
| Yellowish white | 1250—1300 |
| Bright white | 1300—1350 |
As the founder of MachineMFG, I have dedicated over a decade of my career to the metalworking industry. My extensive experience has allowed me to become an expert in the fields of sheet metal fabrication, machining, mechanical engineering, and machine tools for metals. I am constantly thinking, reading, and writing about these subjects, constantly striving to stay at the forefront of my field. Let my knowledge and expertise be an asset to your business.
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