Yes, you have to temper your crucible before usage. The process involves heating the empty crucible to a temperature of about 500 degrees Fahrenheit and holding it for 20 minutes. Then, work the crucible to red heat, turn off the heat, and leave the crucible to cool slowly. This process removes any moisture in the crucible, making it ready for use.
The reason for tempering the crucible is to ensure that it is free from any moisture that could potentially cause damage or failure during the melting process. Moisture can lead to rapid crucible deterioration and melt contamination, which can be detrimental to the melting and holding practices involving metal temperatures.
By tempering the crucible, you are also ensuring that it can handle the rate of temperature change, which is crucial for its ability to resist thermal shock. This is particularly important in foundry applications where temperatures can change by several hundred degrees in seconds.
In summary, tempering the crucible is a necessary step to ensure its durability, stability, and resistance to thermal shock, making it suitable for melting and holding practices involving metal temperatures.
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