Crucibles are vessels that melt substances, usually metallic elements, before casting. They must have extremely high-temperature resistance and outstanding chemical stability.
They also need to resist thermal shock, a rapidly changing temperature. These characteristics can be difficult to quantify but should be considered when selecting a crucible.
Temperature
Crucibles have specific temperature requirements that must be met by the material they contain. Exceeding this temperature can cause serious damage to the crucible and its contents.
The temperature of a crucible can also influence how well it performs. Its thermal expansion coefficient, for instance, determines how much the crucible will expand when heated.
A crucible with a low thermal expansion coefficient should not expand too much during sintering. This allows the crucible to shrink uniformly with the ceramic it holds, which minimizes post-production clean-up and scrap rates.
In addition, a crucible must be chemically inert with the material it is holding to avoid contamination problems when using it. It should also be resistant to oxidation at high temperatures.
Chemical Resistance
Crucibles hold molten metal and are used in fuel-fired, electric resistance, and induction furnaces. They come with or without pouring spouts and in various traditional and specialized shapes.
The crucible material you select affects the level of chemical resistance it offers. Suppose your application uses corrosive metal treatments such as fluxes or other chemicals to melt aluminum. In that case, you will want to choose a crucible that provides adequate protection from these materials.
Graphite crucibles are an excellent choice for these applications since they have a high carbon content that gives them high thermal conductivity and resistance to thermal shock. They also have excellent oxidation resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical strength.
Impact Resistance
Impact resistance is a key characteristic of materials that help protect users from the risk of falling or bumping into objects. It’s important when designing products – safety gloves, self-retracting lanyards, or anchors.
Generally, the tougher a plastic has, the higher its impact resistance. However, some factors can affect this, including service temperature.
For example, a water bucket made of PP (Tg app -10degC) is more brittle than an HD-PE bucket (Tg app. -90degC).
It’s also important to understand that impact resistance depends on part geometry, as sharp internal corners can lead to stress concentrations and breakage. This means that impact-resistant designs should be designed to distribute the energy of impacts throughout the structure.
Visit Here: https://www.westlab.com.au/
Mechanical Strength
Crucibles are made to hold metal and can be as small as teacups or large enough to hold several tons of molten metal. They are used in fuel-fired, electric resistance, and induction furnaces or to transfer molten metal from one source to another.
Regardless of the application, the crucible’s mechanical strength is important in its performance and longevity. Selecting a crucible capable of surviving physical shocks will help protect the furnace from damage and reduce downtime.
The crucible’s durability is also determined by how it is handled and stored after use. Moisture and other elements can affect the crucible’s service life by causing chips, cracks, or abrasions.
The crucible’s overall design and structural alignment also affect its performance and life. Choosing a crucible designed to handle its specific temperature, chemical, and physical requirements will ensure that your crucible performs well and lasts for years.
