An alumina crucible is a container made of alumina or aluminum oxide, used in chemistry labs for hot chemicals. It can withstand high temperatures up to 3272°F and comes in various shapes and sizes. Alumina is industrially refined from bauxite ore and can be produced in high purity for greater heat resistance. Alumina crucibles are used in academia, research, and industry, with industrial containers being larger and thicker for durability.
An alumina crucible is a type of crucible made from alumina or aluminum oxide, the same material used to make aluminum metal. Crucibles are used in chemistry laboratories as containers for extremely hot chemicals and are made of materials that are resistant to high temperatures. The ceramic form of alumina is commonly used due to its low cost, strength, and ability to withstand temperatures up to 3272°F (1800°C). Alumina crucibles come in many shapes and varieties and have applications in laboratory research, academia, and industry.
Aluminum oxide is industrially refined from bauxite ore, which contains aluminum. After several purification processes, a substance called calcined alumina is obtained, which mainly contains alumina with some impurities, mainly sodium oxide. Calcined alumina is often used to make crucibles. High purity alumina can also be produced using similar processes and is often preferred in industrial laboratories due to its greater resistance to extreme heat.
Alumina is a refractory material, which means it can withstand high temperatures without cracking. The melting point of alumina is about 3760°F (about 2071°C). Since an alumina crucible is not made of pure alumina – although a high purity container may approach 100% alumina content – it cannot withstand such high temperatures, but can usually be trusted above 3000°F (about 1649°C).
There are a wide variety of shapes and sizes of refractory containers for different uses. For example, the high-form alumina crucible is a common item in many academic laboratories. A tall-shaped alumina crucible looks like a deep, narrow cup and is often used to melt or heat chemicals over a Bunsen burner — a laboratory appliance with a gas flame — or in an oven. Rectangular and cylindrical options are also sold commercially. All crucibles are used with a lid made of the same material and are handled with tongs and gloves to avoid burns or other accidents.
The refractory vessels used in academic or research laboratories are usually small, with a diameter less than the size of the human hand, reflecting the small amounts of chemicals they must contain. An industrial alumina crucible, which can be used for melting metal and creating alloys, can be much larger and must be installed in the furnace with sufficient space and external support for use. Industrial containers can also be selected based on the thickness of their sides, as thicker crucibles tend to be more durable and have a longer life.
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