Crucible

A crucible is a container, usually cup-shaped, capable of withstanding high or very high temperatures. Crucibles are commonly used for melting various materials such as metals, glass, organic compounds, as well as for calcination and reactor for high temperature chemical reactions.

General

Crucibles are cup-shaped containers, some lidded other not. They are made of a heat resistant materials, such as ceramic, metal (alloys, platinum-group or refractory metals) or certain oxides (alumina, quartz, zirconia), carbides (tungsten carbide), nitrides (aluminium nitride).

Materials used and their performance

Alumina

Good for high temperatures, not compatible with alkali hydroxides.

Graphite

As carbon has the highest boiling point of all nonmetals, it can be used for achieving very high temperatures. However, it may react with molten iron and if the atmosphere is too oxidizing it may burn.

Iridium

One of the best types of crucible, displays excellent properties at high temperatures as well as good chemical resistance, though molten alkali will affect it. Main disadvantage is price, they're very expensive.

Magnesia

Good for temperatures up to 2,300 °C and immune to molten alkali.

Nickel

Good performance at high temperatures, but will oxidize if heated too much in air.

Stainless steel

Used mostly for temperatures up to 1000-1200 °C, these crucibles are good for calcinations and melting alkali. However, it's very easy to melt them if the flame gets too hot.

Titanium

Lightweight and chemical resistant, titanium offers good performance at high temperatures.

Tungsten carbide

Excellent thermal resistance and shows good chemical resistance at high temperature.

Others

Fired clay crucibles, such as flower pots can be used as crucibles, but they're prone to cracking.

Availability

Crucibles can be purchased from pottery stores or online.

DIY crucible

Fired clay crucibles are very easy to make.

Projects

• Metal smelting
• Calcinate organic compounds
• Grow monocrystals

Safety

Ceramic crucibles cool slower compared to their metal counterparts, and one may get burned if it's touched without proper protection.

Ceramic crucibles may crack if they're not heated uniformly.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Crucibles and Metalcasting
• Alumina crucible
• Magnesium Oxide Crucibles