The process of melting and freezing are commonplace for most materials. People rely on these two processes to create the necessary components and materials needed for production and transportation. For example, the steel industry relies on the ability to melt iron ore and manipulate it into the desired shape and alloy. The automotive industry must also rely on the melting and freezing process to create the important components of cars such as the engine and transmission. The food industry relies heavily on freezing and thawing processes in order to store and preserve food. A frozen dessert is created by melting the right ingredients at the right temperatures in order to produce the desired results. All these industries rely on the process of melting and freezing to create the necessary parts and products.
The temperature needed to melt a material depends on its heat of fusion, the heat pressure a material must be under in order to change its state from solid to liquid. Metals, like iron, need very high temperatures in order to reach this point, ranging from 800 to 1500 degrees Celsius. An even higher temperature is required to achieve the melting point of non-metallic materials such as wax or plastic. For example, to achieve the melting point of wax, a temperature of about 65 degrees Celsius is necessary.
Once a material has been melted, it can be reshaped and cooled in order to create a solid. The process of cooling and hardening a material is referred to as the process of freezing. This is the opposite of melting and happens when the temperature falls and the molecules in the liquid combine to form a solid. The rate of cooling can also affect the results of the freezing process. For example, when iron is cast into a desired shape, if it is cooled too quickly, it may convert to iron oxide, resulting in a different product than desired.
The process of melting and freezing plays a critical role in the modern world. By understanding the different requirements and processes involved, it is possible to create the necessary components and products needed in a range of industries. The melting and freezing process aids in the creation of the cars and construction materials needed in the transportation and building industries, as well as the storage and preservation of food. Both manufacturing and consumer products use this process on a daily basis in order to achieve their desired outcomes.