Key Questions to Ask When Ordering quartz crucible for high temperature furnace

03, Mar. 2026

 

Crucibles Selection Guide

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.

For more information, please visit Mingte.

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. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Crucibles - FOSECO

What materials are your crucibles made of?

Molten Metal Systems crucibles are manufactured using carefully selected materials designed to precisely match the crucible’s characteristics and operational performance to each customer’s metal melting, holding or transfer application. A foundry crucible contains 30-50% by weight of flake graphite, depending on the properties required. Naturally occurring graphite is normally used. The carbon content of graphite imparts high thermal conductivity and non-wettability and, coupled with its plate-like layered matrix structure, provides high thermal shock resistance. This is critical to foundry applications as temperatures can change by several hundred degrees in seconds. In addition, crucibles will normally contain 10-50% silicon carbide – depending on the desired properties. Unlike graphite, silicon carbide is synthetic, manufactured from silica sand. This material provides excellent resistance to elevated temperature erosion and to chemical corrosion. It also imparts thermal conductivity. Choosing the best grain size and structure is important for optimizing the overall microstructure to match the product to specific applications. There are two types of bonding systems used in crucibles. Tar/resin produces carbon bonds and the other - clay, produces ceramic bonds following heat treatment.

Where are your crucibles manufactured?

Molten Metal Systems crucibles are manufactured in several plants strategically located around the world. Our facilities can be found in Germany, Brazil, India and China.

Product Recommendations

What type of crucibles does Molten Metal Systems recommend for ZnO production?

There are several types of crucibles that we can recommended for this application including our ISO-pressed crucibles made from our Syncarb Z2 material, a specially designed mix of clay graphite. Our Syncarb Z2 products have the optimized shape and the high density required for this application. It is approved and used by many Zinc Oxide producer all over the world. Contact your Molten Metal Systems representative to get the right crucible for your application.

Want more information on quartz crucible for high temperature furnace? Feel free to contact us.

What type of crucibles can be used for melting in induction furnaces?

Molten Metal Systems offers many options for melting in induction furnaces. In order to offer the correct product for your application you will need to provide: a) the furnace working frequency in Hz, b) the furnace operating power in kW, c) the metal to be melted and d) the metal melting temperature. With this information we can recommend right product for the application.

What crucibles are recommended for different applications (Al, Cu, Zn, Precious Metals, etc)?

Molten Metal Systems provides solutions for most melting requirements. The specific crucible for a particular application depends upon several factors including furnace type, metal to be melted, and other applications variables. In order to correctly identify the best crucible for your application please contact one of our sales people in your region.

Can I re-use the stand (pedestal, base block) after the crucible has been removed?

Molten Metal Systems strongly recommends that a new stand be used whenever replacing the crucible.

For which patterns can we get reinforced crucibles?

The most common type of crucible that can be reinforced is the roller formed type. The process for manufacturing reinforced wall crucibles is less costly for roller formed crucibles.

May I use Excel E in gas furnace?

Excel E can be used in gas furnaces when melting or holding Aluminium but only when a light (or no) flux is used. Excel E can also be used in a gas furnace for Zinc Oxide production.

May I use standard Excel stand with Excel E crucible or the opposite?

Using a standard Excel stand (pedestal, base block) with an Excel E crucible is not recommended.

What is the primary difference between Excel brand and Omnimelt brand?

The mixture of raw materials that are used to produce the products are different for the two products.

Can I use a crucible without a stand (pedestal, base block)?

A crucible can be used without a stand (pedestal, base block) in an induction furnace. A stand (pedestal, base block) must be used in all other types of furnaces.

What kind of packing is used to protect your crucible during transportation?

Molten Metal Systems uses a variety of packing materials to ensure its products are protected in the best possible way for their transportation to customers. Smaller crucibles are packed in cardboard box with packing material insulation to provide added protection. Larger crucibles are packed using wood pallets and strapping to ensure they do not move during shipping.

Can I use the same brand/type of crucible in gas burner furnaces as with an oil burner furnace?

Typically you can use the same type/brand of crucible in a gas burner furnace as you can in an oil burner furnace.

Can I fill a cracked or damaged crucible with plastic (Al2O3 + P2O5) and continue my work?

Molten Metal Systems does not recommend that any cracked or damaged crucible be repaired. Morgan MMS highly recommends that damaged or cracked crucibles be taken out of service immediately for safety reasons.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of SiC vs. CG? Why would I choose one over the other?

The advantages of a given product over another depends primarily on the working temperatures and heating cycles of the application. SiC products versus rib formed clay graphite will typically have better thermal conductivity. SiC versus isotatic pressed clay graphite will have better thermal shock resistance.

I have heard that Molten Metal Systems is the only global crucible manufacturer that uses all three crucible forming techniques. Why is this and why does this set Molten Metal Systems apart from the competition?

Molten Metal Systems has a long history in the crucible industry. Over the years it has experimented and perfected manufacturing techniques that are critical to the production of high quality and top performing crucibles. The three forming techniques that Molten Metal Systems has perfected are roller forming, rib forming and ISO static pressing. Each of these methods are used to provide our customers with the quality products manufactured by us.

Performance Issues

What is a typical crucible life time?

Each application is different. Crucible life depends on a number of variables including furnace type, metal melted, flux usage, operator practices, etc. To get the optimal life out of your crucible, use a Molten Metal Systems crucible recommended by your local sales person.

How can I improve my crucible life and performance?

There are several key activities that will help to ensure you optimise your crucible life and performance. While the product quality built into a crucible by its manufacturer is one key to long service life, another key is held by metal casters themselves. That key is providing the best possible crucible care on the job. Choosing the right crucible, handling your crucible with care and proper installation will make an important contribution to crucible service life. In addition, proper preheating of the crucible before first use and caring for your crucible during normal operations will help to make the crucible last as it was designed*.
By working closely with your Molten Metal Systems representative to select the right crucible for your melting, holding or metal transfer operation you will be eliminating potential applications issues. Upon receipt of your crucible, be sure to inspect it carefully and handle it with care when moving it to storage or to your furnace. Install it properly according the Molten Metal Systems installation procedures. Preheat it according to the Molten Metal Systems guidelines. Operate it within its design parameters. Protect it from physical and thermal damage. And replace it immediately when it is damaged or worn. Follow these rules and your crucibles will provide excellent service life, operational efficiencies and significant economies.
*Refer to the Molten Metal Systems installation and heating procedures when first installing and initially using your crucible. Refer to the article on our website entitled “Key Steps To Maximizing Your Crucible’s Service Life” to find tips and guidelines for getting the most performance out of your crucible.

How I can eliminate problems with flux attack and lengthen crucible life time?

Use only limited amounts of flux at the specified temperatures and for limited time. First, make sure that the metal has been completely melted. Next add flux and mix it thoroughly with the metal. Make sure to clean all the ash and oxides from the crucible during the melt and after it has been emptied. Be sure to clean the crucible in the hot stage often. Molten Metal Systems recommends the use of Excel Tricoat PD for optimal crucible life if the fluxes are borax or NaCl (used normally in copper/copper alloys and precious metal). If using Sr and Na fluxes in aluminium alloys, Molten Metal Systems recommends our Syncarb or Alustar crucibles.

How I can prevent bottom cracking?

Use the correct stand (pedestal, base block) size as recommended by your Molten Metal Systems representative. The stand should be made from the same material as the crucible material. Preheat the crucible carefully according to Molten Metal Systems recommendations. Do not use any parting refractory material to separate the crucible from the stand.

How I can prevent crucible early oxidation resulting in crucible cracks on top edge?

You must ensure that the furnace burner is adjusted correctly. The furnace chamber must be closed to prevent air access in to melting chamber. The top edge of the crucible should be covered with a furnace ring that is of the correct size.

Why are there different preheating procedures for different crucibles and does it really matter?

Crucibles are made of different materials with different properties. So they may require different preheating procedures. Discuss with your local representative if you have questions.

If I don’t clean the crucible regularly, what can happen? How often do I need to clean the crucible?

Normally the crucible should be cleaned after each melt or at least once per shift in holding applications, or any time that dross starts to become stuck on the crucible’s inside surface. If dross is not cleaned from the crucible, then it is likely that during the next heating the dross (with a much higher thermal expansion than the crucible material ) will cause a crack in the crucible wall.

How long is the pre heat for first use ? Can I use it for gas or oil fired burners?

To get the correct instructions for preheating please consult your local representative or view our Installation and Heating procedures on this website.

How long is the first heat for precious metals if I use a gas fired burner or an oil fired burner?

To get the correct instructions for preheating please consult your local representative or view our Installation and Heating procedures on this website. 

What is the crucible installation procedure for bale out and tilting furnaces?

All furnaces have different designs and therefore should be dealt with individually. Please consult your local representative or view our installation and heating procedures on this website.

Foundry Products

Do you have only one size of impeller on your degassing rotor?

No, we can supply a range of diameters to suit customer’s applications. Our standard degassing rotor has a 6 vane impeller which is 150mm diameter with a 90mm dia shaft with a variety of couplings to suit customers degassing machines. We can also supply a larger 6 vane impeller in diameters ranging from 180 to 200mm.

What is the normal nitrogen flow for degassing rotors and degassing tubes?

The normal nitrogen flow rate is approximately 20 litres per minute, degassing aluminium requires 20 litres of nitrogen per minute for every 100kg of aluminium to be treated, so kg of aluminium needs to be treated for 10 minutes with the nitrogen set at 20litres per minute. In practice these times can be adjusted to suit local conditions. When using an open degassing tube the nitrogen flow rate should be set at 5 litres minute, using higher flow rates will waste gas as the bubbles will be larger and not as well dispersed as when using a degassing rotor.

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