Modern crucibles are made of high temperature-resistant materials, including ceramics like porcelain, alumina, zirconia, and magnesia, as well as metals such as platinum, nickel, and zirconium. These materials are chosen for their ability to withstand extremely high temperatures without reacting with the substances being heated.
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Ceramic Crucibles: Porcelain, alumina, zirconia, and magnesia are common ceramic materials used in crucibles. Alumina and magnesia, in particular, can tolerate very high temperatures, making them suitable for applications requiring extreme heat resistance. These ceramics are often used in laboratory settings for gravimetric chemical analysis, where small 10 to 15 ml porcelain crucibles are frequently employed.
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Metal Crucibles: Metals like platinum, nickel, and zirconium are also used to make crucibles. Platinum was one of the earliest metals used for this purpose due to its high melting point and resistance to chemical reactions. Nickel and zirconium are more recent additions, chosen for their inertness and ability to withstand high temperatures. Metal crucibles are often used in industrial settings, especially in processes involving the melting and alloying of metals.
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Design and Functionality: Crucibles come in various shapes and sizes, with lids that are typically loose-fitting to allow gases to escape during heating. The lids are also made from the same high-temperature materials as the crucibles themselves. Crucibles may be fixed in place within a furnace or designed to be removed for pouring at the end of each melt. They are used in a variety of furnaces, including fuel-fired, electric resistance, and induction furnaces.
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Selection Criteria: The choice of crucible material depends on the specific application, considering factors such as temperature requirements, chemical reactivity, and physical parameters. For instance, inert crucibles made of platinum or zirconium are used in scientific applications where contamination must be minimized, while steel crucibles are used in secondary aluminum recycling despite their tendency to scale and potentially contaminate the melt.
In summary, modern crucibles are engineered from a range of high-temperature materials to meet the diverse needs of various industries, from scientific research to metal recycling and alloy production.
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