Why Zirconium crucibles?
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over. In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
# Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
# Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
# Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
# Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
# Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
# Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
# Requires a minimum of care such as smoothing and reshaping not being necessary.
# Under vacuum, argon or helium, can be heated up to 1450°C.
# Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
# The inherent strength of zirconium precludes the necessity of reinforced rims and thicker bottoms as is the case of platinum in certain instances.
Sizes available in the range
Capacity Diameter Height
300 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 10ml 25mm 25mm
301 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 15ml 30mm 25mm
302 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 25ml 35mm 35mm
303 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 30ml 38mm 38mm
304 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 35ml 40mm 40mm
305 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 40ml 45mm 38mm
306 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 45ml 45mm 39mm
307 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 50ml 45mm 40mm
308 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 60ml 45mm 45mm
309 1.0mm Thick Zirconium 70ml 48mm 45mm
Height Reference only dimension
these crucibles are capacity dependant.