Crucibles:

a complete guide to the main models

Read the article and discover the different crucible models available from 88Labware
Crucibles: a complete guide to types, materials, and main differences

Crucibles are fundamental tools in metallurgy, chemistry, and scientific research: resistant containers used to melt metals, calcine materials, or conduct chemical reactions. But not all crucibles are the same: there are different types, each with specific properties that make them suitable for certain uses.

What are crucibles and what materials are they made of?

Crucibles are containers used to melt, calcine, or treat materials at high temperatures, especially in chemical, metallurgical, and industrial fields. They can be conical, cylindrical, shallow, or boat-shaped, and are available on the market in different materials, including platinum, sometimes alloyed with iridium, rhodium, and gold. In fact, iridium (Ir) increases the hardness and mechanical strength of platinum (though it makes it more difficult to work), rhodium (Rh) improves resistance to oxidation and corrosion (useful in aggressive environments), and gold (Au) enhances ductility and workability (while at the same time reducing mechanical strength).

Fusion machines and muffle furnaces: which platinum crucibles should be used?

To choose precisely which type of crucible to use, it is essential to know the difference between fusion machines and muffle furnaces. Both are laboratory furnaces, but the fusion machine is an automatic furnace that can reach 1200° and is used to melt the sample with a flux, obtaining a homogeneous specimen. For this reason, 88Labware offers different crucibles for fusion machines and for muffle furnaces. In particular, it is possible to purchase standard, conical, and cylindrical crucibles for muffle furnaces, while crucibles for fusion machines are identified according to the following brands:

• Katanax

• Claisse

• Herzog

• PANalytical

• PerIX

• Vulcan

• xrFuse

• HD Electronik

Choosing the right crucible means balancing thermal resistance, chemical compatibility, durability, and cost. Whether you are melting metals, conducting chemical experiments, or working in a teaching laboratory, there is a crucible perfectly suited to every need.

Contact us to request a quote from our experts at https://www.88labware.com/en/contacts.html or call +39 02.8853.211