Crucible Selection Guide

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 with stand?
• 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 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 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 email us at tech@msesupplies.com to help you select a suitable crucible for you needs. 

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 email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

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 email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

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 (1600°C), such as melting of precious metals and super-alloys which have melting point higher than 1800°C. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please email us at sales@msesupplies.com.   

• Melting point – 2,715 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – 1800 °C (air); 2100 °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 email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

• Melting point – 2,973 °C
• Recommended Max working temperature – 900 °C (air), 2100 °C (vacuum), 2000 °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 email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

• Melting point – 3,600 °C (non-oxidizing environment)
• Recommended Max working temperature – 400 °C (air), 2000 °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 1200 °C. If you need a size or shape not listed on our website, please email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

• Recommended Max working temperature – 1200 °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 email us at sales@msesupplies.com. 

• 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. 

https://www.msesupplies.com/collections/high-purity-lab-crucibles-and-parts