Home > categories > Minerals & Metallurgy > Aluminum Foils > Will coals from a campfire melt thin sheet metal?
Question:

Will coals from a campfire melt thin sheet metal?

I am building a portable firepit in school, and they got this thin sheet metal, less than a 16th of an inch thick, and teacher says it shouldnt melt through and if it does i can add another sheet to it, but id rather make it right the first time and have 1 piece of steeli was also wondering how hot the coals get that sit on the bottom that are red hoti could put dirt or sand down under it, but id rather notthanx!!

Answer:

It sounds like the sheet metal would be fine if you used it for thisObviously there's a lot of factors that you have to take into consideration, but as long as you don't have excessively large / prolonged seriously hot fires then you'll be fineThe average campfire won't be hot enough to actually melt the metalExpect it to be oxidized more quickly: depending on the type of sheet metal, it could rust more easily or turn a different color evenJust to give you reassurance, many people cook things over a campfire that are wrapped in aluminum foilYou could place this aluminum foil in the fire, on top of the hot coals, and the metal won't even come close to melting.

Share to: