Crucibles Specifications

Material Type


	Material Types:
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	Alumina		Alumina or aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) is a compound of aluminum metal and oxygen usually used in the alpha alumina structural form. In its pure form alumina is a white, high hardness ceramic. Fully dense alumina can be translucent. Alumina has found wide application due to its versatility and a relatively low raw material cost. Depending on the purity and density, alumina is used for refractory tubes, industrial crucibles, analytical labware, dielectric substrates, wear components, refractory cements and abrasives. Alumina's main drawback is its relatively poor thermal shock resistance due its higher coefficients of thermal expansion and lower thermal conductivity compared to other pure ceramic materials such as SiC.
	Alumina - Silicon Carbide		Alumina-silicon carbide (Al₂O₃-SiC) ceramic consists of an alumina matrix reinforced with silicon carbide particles or fibers. Al₂O₃-SiC ceramics are essentially ceramic matrix composites.
	Aluminum Nitride		Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics are compounds of aluminum metal and nitrogen. Aluminum nitride is relatively inert and its good thermal conductivity combined with high electrical insulation ability makes these materials useful as substrates, insulators and barrier layers in microelectronics applications.
	Aluminum Silicate / Sillimanite		Sillimanite, fibrolite, aluminum silicate (Al₂SiO₅) is a compound of silicon, aluminum and oxygen. Sillimanite is also a naturally occurring mineral. Sillimanite is calcined to produce
	Boron Nitride		Boron nitride (BN) ceramics are based on compounds of boron and nitrogen. Boron nitride is relatively inert and it has good thermal conductivity combined with good electrical insulation ability making this material useful in fabricating substrates and insulators in microelectronics applications. BN is polymorphic; i.e., BN occurs in a wide variety of crystalline structure forms. BN is available as amorphous or vitreous, pyrolytic, hexagonal and cubic crystal structures. Cubic boron nitride (CBN) is a superabrasive and is second only to diamond in hardness. BN is more resistant to oxidation compared to carbon. Depending on the purity, density and crystal structure boron nitride is used for refractory linings, industrial crucibles, arc furnace electrodes, analytical labware, composites, refractory cements and superabrasives. Hexagonal BN is structural weak and is used as a high temperature lubricant, coating or
	Calcium Aluminate		Aluminate based refractory calcium aluminate Bauxite is a hydrated aluminum oxide mineral with iron, silica, titanium and sodium oxide impurities.
	Carbon / Graphite		Carbon (C) is a non-metallic element with an extremely high sublimation temperature and a wide variety of crystalline structure forms (polymorphism). Carbon is available as amorphous / vitreous carbon, pyrolytic graphite, hexagonal graphite, diamond or diamond-like carbon. Carbon without a protective coating must be used in reducing or vacuum atmospheres to prevent oxidation at elevated temperatures. Depending on the purity, density and crystal structure carbon is used for refractory linings, industrial crucibles, arc furnace electrodes, analytical labware, composites, refractory cements and superabrasives.
	Chromia / Chromite		Chromia ceramics or refractories are based on compounds chromium and oxygen.
	Copper (Water Cooled)		A common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity. Copper is used in skull melting vessels or crucibles where external cooling maintains a solid skin or skull that contains the molten metal. Copper is often grouped with other noble metals.
	Dolomite (MgO-CaO)		Dolomite refractories are based on calcium magnesium oxide or calcium magnesium carbonate minerals.
	Fused Quartz		Fused quartz is a high purity, crystalline form of silica used in specialized applications such as semiconductor wafer boats, furnace tubes, bell jars or quartzware, silicon melt crucibles, high performance lamps such as mercury and quartz halogen, ultraviolet (UV) lamps, thermocouples protector, waveguide handles, analytical labware and other high temperature products.
	Fused Silica / Glass		Fused silica is a compound of silicon and oxygen. High purity amorphous fused silica is a high performance ceramic with very low expansion, remarkable thermal shock resistance, low thermal conductivity, excellent electrical insulation up to 1000°C and excellent resistance to corrosion from molten metal.
	Kaolin / Fireclay Based		Kaolin based refractories or ceramics are using natural kaolin or a mixture or clay and other ceramics such as alumina, calcium aluminate or silicon carbide. Kaolin acts as a binder and provides plasticity. Kaolin is a hydrous aluminum silicate [Al₂(Si₂0₅)(0H)₄] based mineral clay. Kaolin is also referred to as clay, anhydrous aluminum silicate, aluminum silicate dihydrate, nacrite, dickite, kaolinite, calcined, kaolinite; china clay, bolus alba, porcelain clay, aluminum, silicate hydroxide, or aluminum silicate (hydrated). The plate-like structure allows particles in a wet clay mass to slide across each other and maintain plasticity. Kaolin is white soft plastic clay composed primarily of well-ordered kaolinite mineral [Al2Si2O5(OH)4] with minor amounts of quartz, feldspar, and sheet silicate minerals (mica, illite, smectite, and chlorite). Geologically, there are two types of kaolin deposits, i.e. primary and secondary kaolin. Primary kaolin is formed through the alteration, or kaolinization, of in-situ minerals of feldspar and other aluminum silicates to kaolinite. Secondary kaolin is laid down as sediments, usually in fresh water, far from the place of origin. Various types of secondary kaolin are ball clay, fireclay, or flint clay depending on kaolinite content and their properties.
	Magnesia / Magnesite		Magnesia ceramics or refractories are based on compounds magnesium and oxygen. Magnesite or magnesia refractories or minerals are also known as magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, deadburned magnesite, calcined magnesite, periclase or magnesia clinker. Depending on the origin and processing, magnesia is divided into caustic, dead-burnt, fused, precipitated, sintered or calcined and synthetic magnesia forms. The high melting point (2800°C) and the heat resistance (1700°C in the reducing and 2300 °C in oxidizing atmosphere) of magnesium oxide make it suitable for the production of refractories. Magnesite is the naturally occurring mineral or ore used to produce magnesium oxide based refractories. Magnesite often contains iron, manganese or other activator elements. Magnesium oxide with a carbon bond are used in the steel industry. Magnesite refractories have good resistance to molten iron and steel.
	Metal Boride		Boride ceramics are compounds of a metal and boron such as zirconium boride (ZrB₂) or titanium boride (TiB₂). Titanium borides increase show an increase in ductility with an increase in temperature.
	Molybdenum / Mo Alloy		Molybdenum is a refractory metal with high elevated temperature strength and good. Evaporation boats and crucibles are often fabricated from molybdenum due to the metal's high melting point (2610^oC). Molybdenum has a grayish color.
	Mullite		Mullite (3Al₂O₃-2Si0₂ or Al₆Si₂O₁₃) is a compound of aluminum, silicon and oxygen. Mullite can also be viewed as a phase in the alumina-silica binary system. Mullite is a synthetic, fused or calcined crystalline aluminum silicate produced in electric arc furnaces from alumina and silica. Mullite usually has an off-white or tan color. Depending on the purity and density, mullite can have superior dielectric and thermal shock properties and resistance to slag and silicate refractory bonds. Mullite is used for refractory tubes, industrial crucibles, analytical labware, dielectric substrates, wear components and in refractory cements. Refractory grade mullite or alumina-mullite mixtures are commonly produced by calcining Kyanite minerals.
	Nickel / Nickel Alloy		Nickel and nickel alloys provide a low cost alternative to refractory or noble metal in certain alkaline, acid and other specific chemical environments. Nickel virtually immune to attack by phosphoric acid and highly resistant to corrosion by most strong alkalis. Nickel is attacked by concentrated nitric acid, sulfurous acid, ammonium hydroxide and hypochlorite solutions.
	Nitride (AlN, BN)		Nitride ceramics are compounds of a metal or metalloid (Si, B) and nitrogen such as titanium nitride (TiN), silicon nitride (TiB₂), boron nitride (BN) or aluminum nitride (AlN). Nitrides are relatively inert and have good thermal conductivity combined with high electrical insulation capability making these materials useful as substrates, insulators and barrier layers in microelectronics applications.
	Platinum / Pt Alloy		Platinum is an extremely corrosion resistance noble metal and has excellent resistance to attack by acids and fusion mixtures. Platinum can be fabricated by conventional methods due to the metal good ductility and weldability. Tantalum has a dark bluish gray color. Iridium and rhodium additions are used to form platinum alloys with high strengths. Zirconia particle additions are used to impede grain growth and maintain a fine crystal structure.
	Porcelain		Porcelain materials are used for both useful industrial and ornamental applications. Traditional porcelain is made from a mixture of feldspar, clay (koalin) and flint. Steatite or cordierite porcelains are commonly used in electrical insulator applications. Many porcelain compositions are based on the K₂0-Al₂0₃-SiO₂ or Mg0-Al₂0₃-SiO₂ ternary systems. The term "Porcelain' comes from the Italian "porcell" which means "little pig", a name given to a smooth, white cowrie shell.
	Sapphire		Sapphire is a high purity and density, single crystalline form of aluminum oxide, which may contain chromia, titania, yttria or other dopants. Sapphire is usually transparent or translucent. Sapphire ceramics are used in lasers, substrates, jewel bearings, watch crystals or other specialized optical, wear and electronic applications. Ruby, corundum, topaz are other names for natural or synthetic sapphire. Ruby is chromium doped sapphire used in optical filters and laser rods.
	SiAlON		SiAlON (Al₂O₃-Si₃N₄) is an alloy of silicon nitride and aluminum oxide. SiAlON has the combined properties of silicon nitride (high strength, hardness, fracture toughness and low thermal expansion) and aluminum oxide (corrosion resistance, chemically inert, high temperature capabilities and oxidation resistance). SiAlON is superior refractory material for components exposed to high temperatures, mechanical abuse, corrosion, wear or applications requiring electrical resistance.
	Silicon Carbide		Silicon carbide (SiC) is a compound of silicon metalloid and oxygen usually used in the alpha silicon carbide structural form. SiC is a black, high hardness ceramic that usually is harder than alumina. Depending on the impurity additions, silicon carbide is green or black in color. Fully dense silicon carbide can be transparent (Moissanite). Silicon carbide has found wide application due to its versatility and a relatively low raw material cost. Depending on the purity and density SiC is used for refractory tubes, industrial crucibles, wafer semi-insulating substrates, wear components, refractory cements and abrasives. Alumina's main drawback is its relatively poor thermal shock resistance compared to materials with lower coefficients of thermal expansion. SiC forms a protective SiO₂ skin that to prevents further oxidation at very high temperatures in non-reducing atmospheres. Silicon carbide has relatively high thermal shock resistance compared to other ceramic materials due its low coefficient of thermal expansion combined with high thermal conductivity.
	Silicon Nitride		Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) is a compound of silicon and nitrogen. Silicon nitride has superior mechanical properties and form a protective SiO2 skin at high temperatures. Silicon nitride are difficult to sinter by conventional means because the material dissociates above 1800^oC.
	Tantalum / Tantalum Alloy		Tantalum is an extremely corrosion resistance refractory metal. Tantalum can be fabricated by conventional methods due to the metal good ductility and weldability. Tantalum has almost complete immunity to acid attack. Tantalum's corrosion resistance exceeds that of titanium and nickel alloys in many environments. Evaporation elements, boats and crucibles are often fabricated from tantalum due to the metal's high melting point (2996^oC) and inert nature. Tantalum has a dark bluish gray color.
	Tungsten / W Alloy		Tungsten is a refractory metal with high elevated temperature strength. Evaporation boats and crucibles are often fabricated from tungsten due to the metal's high melting point (3410^oC). Tungsten's brittle nature and high melting point results in fabrication using powder metal techniques. Tungsten has a grayish color.
	Zircon		Zircon is a compound of a zirconium silicate, ZrSiO₄, which is found in nature in the form of zircon sand. Zircon has useful refractory properties.
	Zirconia		Zirconia or zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) is an extremely refractory compound of zirconium and oxygen. Zirconia may have additions of calcia, magnesia or yttria to stabilize the structure into a cubic structure. Zirconia stabilized in the cubic crystal structure avoids cracking and mechanical weakening during heating and cooling. Certain zirconia materials have the ability to transformation toughen (tetragonal to monoclinic phase change) under applied stress and it is frequently used in wear applications requiring improved fracture toughness and stiffness over alumina. Zirconia ceramics possess excellent chemical inertness and corrosion resistance at temperatures well above the melting point of alumina. Zirconia is more costly than alumina, so it is only where alumina will fail. Zirconia has low thermal conductivity and it is an electrical conductor above 800°C. Zirconia is used to fabricate oxygen sensors or fuel cell membranes because zirconia possesses the unique ability to allow oxygen ions to move freely through the crystal structure above 600°C. Zirconia products should not be used in contact with alumina above 1600°C. Depending on the purity and density zirconia is used for refractory tubes, industrial crucibles, analytical labware, sensors, wear components, refractory cements, thermocouple protection tubes, furnace muffles, liners and high temperature heating element supports.
	Zirconium / Zirconium Alloy		Zirconium is an extremely corrosion resistance metal. Zirconium has a melting point (1856^oC). Zirconium is can be fabricated by conventional methods due to the metal good ductility. Zirconium is resistant to attack by most acids. Zirconium metal is silvery white in color. Zirconium form an oxide scale and becomes embrittled in oxidizing atmospheres at temperatures above 850^oC. Zirconium is resistant to fusion by low melting metals that normally attack other crucible materials.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary ceramic or refractory type.
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	Material Features:
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	Composite / Hybrid		Composite materials consist of a matrix material reinforced with a stronger or higher modulus second phase. The second phase may be in the form of particulates, chopped fibers or continuous fibers. The matrix may consist of a ceramic (CRC, ceramic matrix composite), a metal (MMC or metal matrix composite) or a polymer material. Ceramic or glass fibers are commonly utilized as the reinforcement due to their high strength and/or modulus.
	Glaze / Protective Coating		Ceramic or refractory body that uses or is available with a glaze (fused glass enamel), metallized coating, plastic coating or other protective coatings. The coating may seal porosity, improve water or chemical resistance or enhance joining to metals or other materials.
	Electrical Insulator		Ceramics with intrinsically low electrical conductivity. Internal porosity will also lower bulk electrical conductivity.
	Porous / Thermal Insulator		Porous ceramics have a large degree of open or closed internal pores that provide a thermal barrier. Certain ceramics have intrinsically low thermal conductivity even in dense forms.
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Application / Industry



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	Aluminum Melting		Refractory ceramic materials and components suitable for use in aluminum smelting, melting and casting operations such as thermocouple protection tubes, combustion gas heaters tubes and die casting stalks or sleeves.
	Ceramics / Glass Manufacturing		Ceramics, refractories or crucible with resistance to molten glass or compatible with ceramics and glasses during firing, calcining or fusing in a kiln or furnace.
	Chemical Processing		Ceramics and refractory materials and components suitable for chemical processing application due to high temperature and/or corrosion resistance.
	Foundry / Casting		Ceramic and refractory crucibles, tubes, stoppers, liners, spouts, permanent molds, thermocouple protection tubes, combustion gas heater tubes, submersible heater tubes, die casting stalks / sleeves and other furnace components used in foundries for melting and casting aluminum, steel, copper alloys or other metals.
	Iron & Steel Melting		Refractory ceramic materials and components suitable for use in iron and steel smelting, melting and casting operations.
	Optical / Optoelectronic		Ceramic materials specialized for use in fabricating or processing optical components such as lenses, windows, prisms, telecommunications optical fiber and lasing material components. Single crystal ceramics, transparent ceramics, sapphire and quartz are example of materials with optical applications.
	Nickel Base / Superalloys		Superalloys, typically nickel or cobalt alloys are used in jet engine and gas turbine applications which require the high temperature strength and oxidation resistance of these alloys.
	Precious / Red Metals		Crucibles suitable for melting, alloying or refining precious or red metals. Red metals include copper, brass, bronze and other copper alloys. Precious metals include silver, gold, platinum and palladium.
	Semiconductor Manufacturing		Ceramics or other non-metallic compounds or elemental semiconductors used as substrates and wafers in semiconductor manufacturing. Also, ceramics used for wafer chucks, wafer furnace boats and thin film chamber liners.
	Titanium / Reactive Metals		Crucible or other refractory products designed for melting, processing or casting reactive metals such titanium, zirconium or hafnium, which tend to dissolve or react with most crucible and mold materials. Copper cooled crucible or coatings of yttria-ceria layers are often used in titanium melting applications.
	Labware / Analytical		Crucibles suitable for laboratory applications such as fusion, reaction or incineration of samples for chemical analysis or material synthesis.
	Other		Other unlisted application.
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	Furnace Type:
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	Arc / Plasma Melting		Arc melting, plasma arc melting (PAM), electro-slay remelting (ESR) or vacuum arc remelting (VAR) furnaces employ an electric arc or plasma stream to fuse and refine or process alloys such as nickel based superalloys, titanium alloys, tool steels or stainless steels.
	Electron Beam Melting		Crucibles and vessels suitable for use with electron beam melting equipment. Electron beam melting use a focused high energy beam of electrons to melt a metal or material. A vacuum atmosphere is required to avoid absorption of the electrons.
	Evaporator / CVD Furnace		Evaporation or physical vapor deposition (PVD) furnaces or systems are used to deposit films or grow substrates. In evaporation system, an evaporated material is condensed onto a substrate to build up a thin film or coating. Specialized crucibles, filaments and boats are required to hold the source metal during the evaporation process.
	Gas Fired		Gas fired furnaces heat the furnace or crucible using the combustion of natural gas, propane or other gases.
	Induction		Induction furnaces use coils to induce an electric current in a metal with enough internal resistance to melt the alloy through joule (I²R) heating. Non-conductive ceramic crucibles should be chosen that do not interfere with the action of induction coils.
	Resistance Heating		Resistance furnaces use resistance heating coils that indirectly heat and melt the alloy or material.
	Other		Other unlisted, specialized, or proprietary atmosphere or melting furnace type.
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	Atmosphere Type:
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	Air / Oxidizing		Furnace or thermal processing system employing an air or oxidizing atmosphere. Crucibles should be chosen that are resistant to oxidization or burn-up at the end-use temperature. Graphite or refractory metal crucibles may burn up if used at high temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere.
	Inert		Furnace or thermal processing system employing an inert gas such as argon as an atmosphere or shielding blanket.
	Reducing		Furnace or thermal processing system employing a reducing gas such as hydrogen an atmosphere. Crucibles should be chosen without constituents that can be reduced at the end-use temperature. Iron oxides or silica could be reduced to iron or silicon under high temperature, reducing conditions.
	Vacuum		Furnace or thermal processing system employing a vacuum as an atmosphere. Crucibles should be chosen that do not consist of volatile or high vapor pressure components at the end-use temperature.
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