A lab crucible is a type of laboratory glassware used to burn, melt or mix solid chemical compounds over a burner. It can hold all kinds of substances, materials and fluids. It is also used in quantitative gravimetric chemical analysis.
The benefits of crucible lie in its ability to withstand very high temperatures, which makes it ideal for laboratory experiments involving extremely hot chemical reactions as well as corrosive and pigmentation processes. It is a common chemistry lab apparatus that is used for heat-related experiments. The importance of crucible can also be emphasized in the fact that it increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the lab technician.
Typically, it comes in the shape of a cup or a bowl along with covers and holders. The covers are usually fitted loosely to allow the gas to escape. The shape, size, material, height and capacity of a crucible may vary depending on the purpose you want to use it for. The different types of crucibles you can find are:
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High Form
High form crucible has high walls that have a slightly outward bulge. It has an opening with a top outer diameter that narrows down to smaller base or bottom diameter.
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Wide Form
Wide form crucible has short walls and look like low, flat or shallow holders. It has a very wide top outer diameter opening like high form and narrows down to smaller base or bottom diameter.
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Bitumen
Bitumen crucible has a perforated bottom. Its insides and out are glazed except for the rim and outside bottom surface.
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Gooch
Gooch crucible also has a perforated bottom and has a fritted glass disc.
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Porous Bottom
Porous bottom crucible has a moulded-in porous disc which gives consistent flow rate and stable porosity.
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Rose
Rose crucible is unglazed and comes without any cover or tube.
Let’s look at different materials used in crucible:
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Silica
Silica crucible is made of a high-grade crystalline compound that is white or colourless. It is dimensionally accurate and corrosion and abrasion-resistant.
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Porcelain/Ceramic
Both porcelain crucible and ceramic crucible have high thermal shock resistance and refractory characteristics. They can be useful in conducting high-temperature experiments without the risk of deforming or cracking.
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Metal
Metal crucible is available in clay-graphite or silicon-carbide and various other metals. It is ideal for tooling, casting and machining uses.
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Steel
Steel crucible is used to melt aluminium and zinc, which have a lower melting temperature than steel. It is a kind of steel made by melting cast iron (also known as pig iron), iron, steel, glass, ashes, sand and other fluxes.
When buying crucible, make sure it aptly meets all your requirements, depending on the complexity of process or application.
