Zirconia Crucible

Zirconia Crucible Description

Zirconia's high mechanical properties, chemical inertness, high-temperature stability, corrosion resistance, and high quality have put this ceramic steel on the radar in many industries and application areas. Many products of today, ranging from refractory to medical products, pigments, electronics, coatings, and ceramics, have been based on zirconia due to its superior characteristics and advantages as compared to other materials.

Due to its high thermal resistance, zirconium dioxide is used as a component in crucibles, furnaces, and other high-heat environments. In addition, zirconium dioxide boosts the fireproof properties of ceramics.

Zirconia products can withstand the high temperature up to 2100℃. It is an ideal material for the melting of precious metals and super-alloys which have melting point higher than 1800℃. Zirconia Crucibles are available in many sizes and shapes.

Zirconia crucibles are great refractory and insulating materials. They have a clean melt at temperatures above 1900℃ and above and are specially manufactured for melting superalloys and precious metals. They also have excellent chemical inertness, superior thermal shock resistance to temperatures reaching up to 2200℃, and good corrosion resistance to acids and alkalis.

Properties of Zirconia

● High mechanical resistance

● High temperature resistance and expansion

● Low thermal conductivity

● Low thermal conductivity

Typical Types of Zirconia

Typical Properties of Zirconia

User's Guide for Zirconia Products

● Zirconia products are fragile. Please handle them carefully and avoid collision during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.

● Check whether any micro-cracks exist before using zirconia products. Products with micro-cracks should not be used.

● Do not load too many materials in zirconia crucibles, which can increase the possibility of uneven heating.

● Slow ramp rate and cooling rate are highly recommended to minimize the thermal shock on crucibles. When increasing the temperature, special attention should be paid on two sensitive temperature periods: not exceeding 3°C/MIN during 100°C - 300°C and 1050°C - 1200°C. The rate can be faster in other temperature ranges, but it is recommended to be less than 5°C /MIN.

● To take the crucible directly out of furnace at high temperature may cause crack. If possible, take it out when the temperature is under 100°C.

● Zirconia crucibles should not be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause crack.

● It is recommended to put some zirconia powder (around 100mesh) between the bottom of the crucible and the support of crucible to achieve consistency in thermal expansion coefficient.

● If the crucible is used in induction furnace, the crucible should be surrounded by zirconia powder.

Zirconia Crucible Applications and Related Industries

● Chemical calcining

● Metal casting

● Metal melting, especially in superalloy and precious metals industries

● Thermal analysis crucibles

● Industrial

● Research & Laboratory