Crucible tongs are used to handle hot and heavy crucibles in glass blowing and metal smelting. They are made of strong metal, have locking or non-locking versions, and long insulated handles. They should be stored properly and regularly cleaned. Other tools may not be appropriate for this task.
Crucible tongs are tools used to lift hot, heavy and dangerous crucibles in tasks such as glass blowing and metal smelting. The crucible is a container used to hold materials as they melt in an extremely hot furnace. Operators cannot directly handle the crucibles due to the intense heat and fumes, so they use tongs to grip the devices as they move and reposition the containers of melt. A closely related tool is the stem, which is used to control a crucible during pouring.
Typically, crucible tongs are made of a strong metal that can withstand high temperatures. They include locking or latching versions that can be locked to the edge of a crucible, along with portable non-locking versions that must be controlled by the operator. They also typically have stops to limit the amount of pressure a technician can apply, to prevent a situation where a crucible could crack under too much pressure.
Handles are long and may have insulated grips for safety. A technician can use crucible tongs to add metal, glass, and other materials to a crucible for melting and to reposition a crucible inside a furnace. Once the melt is complete, crucible tongs are available to carefully lift it and transfer it to a stem for pouring. The shanks have a design that locks the crucible in place so it can be reversed, with one or two operators to control the speed and angle of the pour.
In a facility where metal, glass, and other hot materials in crucibles and vials are processed, several sets of tongs are usually available. Operators can select the most appropriate size and shape for a given application, including two-man versions for very heavy crucibles that could be dangerous to lift alone. Like other tools, they should be stored in a dry place when not in use and should be regularly cleaned and oiled to remove dirt, rust and other impurities that could affect their performance.
Other tools may be used to handle a crucible, but caution is advised. These special tongs are built specifically for this application with materials thick and strong enough to handle the heat and weight. Other tongs may not be appropriate, as they may be too fragile to withstand regular use in an extremely hot oven environment. Crucible tongs should bear a temperature rating along with recommendations for use.
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