Key Questions to Ask When Ordering crucibles manufacturer

MSE Supplies is your source for many types of crucibles, including MgO crucibles ranging from 10 mL to 100 mL, metal crucibles, ceramic crucibles, and high-purity lab crucibles. We also produce customized crucibles to your specifications from your applications. Request a quote today.

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What are Crucibles

Crucibles are essential lab tools that withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemical conditions. They're containers crafted from high-purity materials like metals and ceramics, ensuring minimal contamination during use. Crucibles are integral to various scientific tasks, including melting, mixing, and analyzing samples under precise temperature and chemical control. With the diversity of materials available, such as Alumina, Zirconia, or Magnesium Oxide, it is critical to select the appropriate type of crucible for your specific application.

Types of Crucibles

What are crucibles made of? Crucibles comprise various materials, including metals, ceramics, and compounds, each suitable for different applications, often based on the crucible melting point. MSE Supplies offers many types of crucibles, including:

• Alumina Crucibles: Widely used due to their high melting points and chemical resistance. Ideal for routine lab research.
• Magnesium Oxide Crucibles: These can withstand ultra-high temperatures and are often preferable to lithium solid-state electrolyte synthesis.
• Zirconia Crucibles: Known for their excellent wear resistance and are suitable crucibles for melting precious metals and super-alloys.
• Boron Nitride Crucibles: Highlighted for their high thermal conductivity and excellent thermal shock resistance.
• Graphite Crucibles: They are the best crucibles for melting metal and induction heating because of their high-temperature resistance.
• Porcelain Crucibles: Economical choice for applications with temperatures below °C.
• Quartz Crucibles: Excellent for material melting and chemical reactions in tube furnaces due to their thermal shock resistance and chemical inertness.

Order High-Quality Crucibles from MSE Supplies

When you choose MSE Supplies for all types of crucibles, you can count on the following:

• Superior Quality: Our crucibles deliver reliable performance under extreme conditions, crafted from high-purity materials.
• Broad Variety: We offer all types of crucibles in various materials like Alumina, Zirconia, and Magnesium Oxide for diverse applications.
• Expert Assistance: Our experienced team provides insights into the best crucible for melting metal or your unique needs.

Order all types of crucibles from MSE Supplies today. We offer the best quality crucibles in the industry for the lowest prices. Our in-house materials scientists are committed to providing exceptional service and advice. Check out our special offers and programs, then order online or request a quote. 

If you have any questions, we’re here to help! Contact us online, or call at (520)789-.

What are the Factors for Selecting a Crucible?

There are several factors one needs to consider when selecting a crucible, this can seem a daunting task because there are several things to consider. These factors can range from needed volume, the shape, and the chemical reactions between the crucible and the chemicals you put in it no name just a couple. Here is a list of some of the most important factors to consider when selecting a crucible. 

• What temperature will the crucible need to withstand?
• What material crucible will be selected?
• Is the material in the crucible going to react with the crucible?
• Is the ramp rate being used going to thermally shock the crucible?
• Is there a thermal gradient across the crucible, if so how will that affect the crucible?
• What volume crucible will I need?
• Will the geometry of the crucible be important?
• Will the crucible fit in the furnace?
• Is the crucible going to be used more than once?

This might seem a daunting list of questions to answer, but if you have ever chosen the wrong crucible for the job and ended up rebuilding your furnace you know the importance of answering these questions. If you need help choosing please continue reading this article. If you still need help our knowledgeable staff at MSE Supplies are here to help. Please feel free to us at to help you select a suitable crucible for your needs. 

What crucibles materials do MSE Supplies offer?

Alumina (Al2O3) Crucibles

Alumina crucibles (Al2O3) are widely used due to its versatility and its low cost. It is the most commonly used crucible for lab research use. The material has a high melting point is and relatively chemically inert. MSE Supplies offers a wide variety of shapes and sizes of Alumina crucibles.  If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Melting point – 2,072 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – 1,600 °C
• Max ramp rate - 5 °C/min < °C or 4 °C/min > °C
• Max cooling rate - 2 °C/min
• Avoid Thermal gradients
• High Purity Alumina Rectangular Boat Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• High Purity Alumina Cylindrical Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• High Purity Alumina High Form Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• High Purity Alumina Sample Pans to TGA and DCS at MSE Supplies

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Crucibles

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) crucibles are good for ultra high temperatures and have a better chemical resistivity than that of alumina. MgO crucibles are usually inert to metals, slags, and superconducting compounds. When MgO crucibles are used in lithium solid state electrolyte synthesis or sintering, MgO has its own unique advantage of not reacting with lithium unlike Al2O3 crucibles, therefore it maintains the lithium vapor pressure better without causing access lithium loss in the solid state electrolyte. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Melting point – 2,852 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – 2,200 °C
• Max ramp rate - 3 °C/min
• Max cooling rate - 3 °C/min
• Avoid thermal Gradients
• 10 ml Magnesium Oxide Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• 50 ml Magnesium Oxide Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• 100 ml Magnesium Oxide Crucibles at MSE Supplies
• Magnesium Oxide Rectangular Boat Crucibles at MSE Supplies

Zirconia (ZrO2) Crucibles

Zirconia (ZrO2) crucibles have excellent wear, chemical and temperature resistance. It can withstand high temperatures. It is ideal for applications which require temperatures higher than Alumina crucibles can withstand temperature (°C), such as melting of precious metals and super-alloys which have melting point higher than °C. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at .   

• Melting point – 2,715 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – °C (air);  °C (N2 or Vacuum)
• Max ramp rate - 5 °C/min
• Max cooling rate - 5 °C/min
• High Purity Zirconia High Form Crucibles at MSE Supplies

Boron Nitride (BN) Crucibles

Boron Nitride (BN) crucibles are a synthetic technical ceramic material. It has outstanding thermal characteristics: high thermal conductivity (751 W/mK) and excellent thermal shock resistance. The unique property of BN crucible is that it is non-wetting with molten metal. It is widely used for crystal growth, melting metals, rare earth materials, fluorides, glass, silicon, molten salt and luminescent materials. It is ideal for oxygen sensitive applications. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Melting point – 2,973 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – 900 °C (air),  °C (vacuum), °C (N2 or Ar)
• Max ramp rate - 50 °C/min
• Max cooling rate – can quench
• High Purity Boron Nitride Cylindrical Crucibles at MSE Supplies

Graphite (C) Crucibles

Graphite (C) crucibles are made from high purity (>99.9%) graphite raw material. It has unique features such as high temperature resistance, excellent acid and alkali resistance, good thermal shock resistance, excellent thermal/electrical conductivity and high mechanical strength. It is widely used for induction heating and metal melting, such as Ag, Au, Cu and Al metals.  If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Melting point – 3,600 °C (non-oxidizing environment)
• Recommended Max working temperature – 400 °C (air), °C (non-oxidizing environment)
• High Purity Cylindrical Graphite Crucibles at MSE Supplies

Porcelain Crucibles

Porcelain crucibles have good wear resistance, high temperature tolerance, excellent cold crushing and thermal shock resistance, and excellent chemical corrosion resistance. It is widely used for metallurgy, glass melting, gemstone purification, chemical industry and material science. It is the most economical crucible for applications with temperature lower than °C. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Recommended Max working temperature – °C
• Max ramp rate - 3 °C/min
• Max cooling rate – 3 °C/min
• High Form Porcelain Crucibles at MSE Supplies

Quartz Crucibles

Quartz crucibles (>99.99%) have excellent thermal shock resistance and are chemically inert to most elements and compounds, including virtually all acids, regardless of concentration, except hydrofluoric acid. They are widely used for material melting and chemical reactions in tube furnaces. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please us at . 

• Melting point – 1,670 °C (non-oxidizing environment)
• Recommended Max working temperature – 1,200 °C
• Max ramp rate - 3 °C/min
• Max cooling rate – 3 °C/min
• High Purity Quartz Boat Crucibles at MSE Supplies

MSE Supplies  (msesupplies.com/) is a major supplier of crucibles.  MSE Supplies offers a wide range of high purity lab crucibles, including Alumina (Al2O3), Zirconia (ZrO2), Quartz (SiO2), Magnesium Oxide (MgO), Boron Nitride (BN), Porcelain, Graphite (Carbon), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Nickel (Ni), Tantalum (Ta), Tungsten (W), Zirconium (Zr), PTFE and more.  Customized lab crucibles are available upon request.  Find popular high purity laboratory crucibles for sale at MSE Supplies. 

It is important that the correct crucible is selected when designing a new glass melt in order to safeguard the glass melt from deformation, cracking, or contamination by the crucible.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Mingte.

Image credit: Mo-Sci Corp.

Crucibles often require an extended working lifespan as they are used again and again. Any downtime created by a crucible being inoperative is likely to halt large elements within the process of manufacturing, which can be incredibly expensive.

The composition of the crucible should be assessed for characteristics such as its resistance to thermal shock, maximum operating temperature, compressive strength and possible reactions with the glass1, expansion coefficient, along with the cost and longevity of the material.

Silica

Silica (SiO2) is an oxide that can function at high temperatures without degrading chemical composition and structural integrity. Its maximum operating temperature of °C is lower than alternative materials, such as alumina.

With an exceptionally low coefficient of thermal expansion and a higher resistance to thermal shock, silica is the ideal choice for melting a number of glass families for example borosilicates, silicates, and soda-lime.

Alumina

Alumina (Al2O3) is a suitable candidate for melts that require high temperature stability, but where cost is also a factor. Alumina transfers heat from the furnace faster as it has a high thermal conductivity.

It also offers effective thermal shock resistance due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion. For high purity Al2O3, the maximum operating temperature is °C.

Another useful attribute is its resistance against chemical attack which can result in melt contamination and significant degradation of the crucible. Its resistance is even stronger than platinum in the application of heavy metal oxide (HMO) glass melting.2

AZS (alumina-zirconia-silica)

AZS is one of the most frequently utilized refractories in the production of commercial glass. It can endure high temperatures along with having a high resistance to corrosion.3 The oxides that form AZS are affordable, and the subsequent mixture can be cast into a wide range of crucible shapes.

The main limitation is that when a glass melt contacts the walls of the AZS crucible, flaws like knots and bubbles can be produced, leading to a compromised structure.

This is a serious issue, particularly in the production of industrial glass where it is predicted that up to 10% of the glass created in continuously operating furnaces is rejected. The creation of ultra-low exudation AZS is one solution that is being explored.4

Platinum

Platinum is one of the first choices for researchers aiming to avoid sample contamination as it is one of the noble metals and is highly inert.5 Its rarity and difficulty in mining means that it is a costly choice for crucibles.

Platinum is frequently alloyed with rhodium in ratios of 90:10 or 80:20 to decrease the cost without compromising on function.

The operating temperature can be increased to approximately °C; 300 °C higher than that of pure platinum through this method.6 As platinum is also a relatively malleable metal, it can easily be formed into crucibles of various sizes and shapes.

While it is resistant to most types of corrosion, platinum crucibles can be harmed by heavy metal oxide glasses, resulting in the degradation of features in the end material.

Vitreous Carbon

The thermal decomposition of a cross-linked polymer creates the ceramic material called vitreous carbon.7 Due to its high sheen and black color, it is also known as ‘glassy’ carbon. It is quite fragile, similar to glass, but it has other important characteristics that make it suitable for being a crucible material.

It is resistant to thermal shock, along with having a high operating temperature of up to °C. As it contains carbon, it has a comparatively high thermal conductivity.

An important feature is that it is unaffected by gas and has incredibly low porosity. It is also highly resistant to damage by many chemicals such as chromic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrofluoric, and hydrochloric acids.

It is more costly than different ceramic crucibles like alumina, but has a longer lifetime as a result of its stability throughout thermal cycling.

Fire Clay

Clay is found in abundance, is easily formed into a broad range of shapes, and is a material that has been used throughout history for glass melt crucibles.

Contemporary fireclays can also be customized to distinct applications by modifying the composition with oxides and further additives.8 The addition of widespread compounds like MgO, CaO, K2O, and Na2O can significantly raise the maximum operating temperature.

Certain fire clays can be high in silicon oxide (SiO2) which decreases the resistance to thermal shock, and some may contain a high porosity. Pores can enable the crucible to be penetrated by the glass melt, heightening the risk of contamination and even resulting in the breakage of the crucible itself.

References and Further Reading

1. J.E., S. Introduction to Glass Science and Technology. doi:10./CBO.004
2. Dos Santos, I. M. G. et al. Ceramic crucibles: A new alternative for melting of PbO-BiO 1.5 -GaO 1.5 glasses. J. Non. Cryst. Solids 319, 304–310 ().
3. Magnificus, D. R. Glass Defects Originating from Glass MelUFused Cast AZS Refractory Interaction. (). doi:10./IR
4. Cabodi, I., Gaubil, M., Morand, C. & Escaravage, B. ER SLX: Very low exudation AZS product for glass furnace superstructures. Glas. Technol. Eur. J. Glas. Sci. Technol. Part A 49, 221–224 ().
5. Fischer, B. & Gerth, K. Platinum for Glass Making at Jena. Platin. Met. Rev. 38, 74–82 ().
6. Improving Service Life of Platinum Crucibles Used for Sample Fusion. AZoNetwork Available at: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=.
7. Cowlard, F. C. & Lewis, J. C. Vitreous carbon - A new form of carbon. J. Mater. Sci. 2, 507–512 ().
8. ‘Crucible’ from DigitalFire.com Reference Library. Available at: https://digitalfire.com/4sight/glossary/glossary_crucible.html.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Mo-Sci Corp.

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