Foundry Crucibles

Foundry Crucibles

Description: A crucible is a container use to hold metal for melting in a furnace. BCS offers Bartley Crucible & Refractory (Bilge Shaped) Clay-Graphite crucibles, Vesuvius Tercod (tm) (Bilge Shaped) Silicon-Carbide crucibles and low cost "A" shaped crucibles in both Clay-Graphite and Silicon-Carbide.

What It Does: A crucible is needed to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered in melting metals. The crucible material must have a much higher melting point than that of the metal being melted and it must have good strength even when white hot.

It is possible to use a home made steel crucible to melt metals such as zinc and aluminum, because these metals melt at a temperature well below that of steel. However scaling (flaking) of a steel crucible interior surface is a problem. This scale can contaminate the melt and thin the crucible walls rather quickly. These crucibles can be coated with Marcote-7 to provide some degree of protection between the steel and the metal being melted. Steel crucibles will work if you are just getting started and don't mind dealing with the scaling.

Common refractory materials used in crucible construction are clay-graphite, and carbon bonded silicon-carbide. These materials can withstand the highest temperatures in typical foundry work. Silicon carbide has the added advantage of being a very durable material.

Our Clay Graphite Bilge Shape crucibles are rated for 2750 F (1510 C). The "A" shaped crucibles are useful for metals up to 2000 F (1093C). All of our crucibles are designed for "non-ferrous" work. Non-ferrous means containing no iron. They will handle zinc, aluminum, brass / bronze, silver and gold alloys.

Crucible Shapes:

"Bilge" Shape: A bilge shaped crucible is shaped like a barrel. The bottom is smaller than the bilge (widest part of a barrel), the bilge is the maximum diameter, and the top is smaller than the bilge, but typically larger in diameter than the base. A rule of thumb states that the # of a "bilge" crucible gives its approximate working capacity in pounds of aluminum. For brass or bronze use 3 times the crucible #. For example a #10 crucible would hold approximately 10 pounds of aluminum and 30 pounds of brass. This is only applicable for "bilge" shapes.

The "Bilge"shape silicon carbide crucibles are a solid bonded silicon carbide having the longest service life.

"A" Shape: An "A" shape crucible has straighter sides that taper outward. Note that there is no "bilge" diameter for an "A" shape because the diameter constantly increases from the bottom to the top. This shape is easier to make than the bilge shape and therefore is lower cost. Also note that "A" shape sizes and capacities don't correspond to bilge shape sizes and capacities. "A" Shape crucibles are rated in Kg of brass. Therefore a #10A will hold about 10 Kg / 22 Lbs of brass. Check the tables below to find the right size for your job. These crucibles run smaller than the equivalent bilge style. Get the next size up when in doubt.

I've got to admit that the "A Shape" crucibles are a bit "rough" around the edges. The surface finish is somewhat coarse and there are dents and dings in the rims and body. They don't have as finished an appearance as the bilge types, but in view of the price difference I would be inclined to overlook this issue. This roughness doesn't detract from the performance in any way.

The silicon carbide "A" shape crucibles have a silicon carbide surface coating over a clay graphite core. This coating helps prevent errosion of the crucible, thereby giving them a longer life. They are not 100% solid bonded silicon carbide like the "B" shaped crucibles. They don't have any higher strength at heat than the clay-graphite variety.

How To Use It:

All crucibles should be handled with properly fitting tongs (lifting tool). Improper tongs can cause damage or complete failure of a crucible at the worst possible time.

A disk of cardboard can be placed between the crucible and the furnace base prior to heating. This will burn off, leaving a layer of carbon in between and prevent the crucible from sticking to the furnace bottom A coating of Plumbago (Carbon Black) does the same thing.

It is best to use a different crucible for each type of metal to avoid contamination. Also be sure to completely empty the crucible after use. Metal left to solidify in a crucible can expand on re-heating and destroy it.

Crucibles should be "tempered" before use. First heat the empty crucible to about 500 deg F. and hold for 20 minutes. Then bring the crucible to a red heat. Turn off the heat and allow the crucible to slowly cool. This process drives off any moisture in the crucible. Your crucible is now ready to receive its first charge.

The material should be placed into the crucible VERY loosely. NEVER "pack" a crucible, as the material will expand on heating and can crack the ceramic. Once this material has melted into a "heel", carefully load more material into the puddle for melting. (WARNING: If ANY moisture is present on the new material a steam EXPLOSION will occur). Once again, don't tightly pack in the metal. Keep feeding the material into the melt until the required quantity has been melted.

Store all crucibles in a dry area. The slightest bit of moisture can cause a crucible to crack on heating.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DIMENSIONS SHOWN ARE APPROXIMATE. ALL CRUCIBLES VARY IN SIZE FROM LOT TO LOT. PLEASE CALL IF YOU NEED EXACT DIMENSIONS FOR A SPECIFIC CRUCIBLE. Clay-Graphite Crucibles"Bilge" ShapeStandard Dimensions & Capacities (inches)

Crucible SizeHeightTop DiameterBilge DiameterBottom DiameterPounds of AluminumPounds of Brass

B00003 1/162 5/81 7/8.461.46

B13 13/163 5/162 3/813.2

B24 1/23 7/82 7/826.4

B35 3/164 3/83 1/1639.6

B45 1/24 3/43 5/16412.7

B66 3/45 9/163 7/8619.1

B87 3/165 7/84 1/2825.5

B108 1/166 1/46 5/84 7/81031.9

B169 5/167 1/87 3/85 1/21651.0

B2010 5/167 13/168 1/26 1/82063.7

B3011 1/28 5/89 5/166 13/163095.6

Clay-Graphite Crucibles"A" ShapeAPPROXIMATE Standard Dimensions & Capacities (inches)

Crucible SizeHeightTop DiameterBottom DiameterPounds of AluminumPounds of Brass

A12 1/22 1/21 1/8.461.46

A243 1/22 3/813.2

A34 1/242 3/426.4

A454 1/23 1/839.6

A66 1/84 5/83 3/8412.7

A86 1/25 3/43 3/4619.1

A107 1/26 3/84 3/8825.5

A168 3/86 1/24 3/81031.9

A2097 3/84 3/41651.0

A3011 1/28 1/262063.7

A40119 7/873095.6

A6013117 3/842132

Silicon-Carbide Crucibles"Bilge" ShapeStandard Dimensions & Capacities (inches)

Crucible SizeHeightTop DiameterBilge DiameterBottom DiameterPounds of AluminumPounds of Brass

B45 3/44 3/44 3/43 1/8412.7

B66 9/165 3/85 3/83 3/4619.1

B87 3/166 1/166 1/164 1/16825.5

B108 1/866 9/164 5/81031.9

B169 1/477 7/165 1/41651.0

B2010 1/87 13/168 1/26 1/82063.7

B3011 1/28 11/169 1/26 13/163095.6

B4012 7/89 1/210 3/87 1/240127.0

Silicon Carbide Crucibles"A" ShapeStandard Dimensions & Capacities (inches)

Crucible SizeHeightTop DiameterBottom DiameterPounds of AluminumPounds of Brass

A24 1/23 7/82 7/81.44.4

A45 1/24 3/43 5/162.88.8

A66 3/4/P>5 9/163 7/84.213.2

A87 3/165 7/84 1/25.617.6

A108 1/166 1/44 7/87.022.0

A169 5/167 1/85 1/211.235.2

A2010 5/167 13/166 1/814.044

A3011 1/28 5/86 1/221.066

A4011 3/4106 1/22888

Health Info:

Read and understand the Manufacturers Material Safety Data Sheet , MSDS, for full information about dangers.

The MSDS is available on this site and is shipped with each order.

WARNING: We have been receiving reports of crucibles failing during the first firing. These failures appear to be due to moisture being absorbed into the crucible during shipping and storage.Please take the following precaution when using new crucibles or those that have been in storage. Bake the empty crucible for 12 hours at 220 F (104 C). (Use adequate ventilation. New crucibles will smoke as the glaze sets.) Then slowly fire the empty crucible to a red heat. Allow the crucible to cool to room temperature in the furnace before using. This procedure should be followed for ALL new crucibles and for any crucible that may have been exposed to humid conditions in storage.

MSDS:

"A" shape Clay Graphite crucible MSDS

"Bilge" shape SiC crucible MSDS

"Bilge" shape Clay Graphite crucible MSDS

Tech Data:

"A" shape crucible Tech Data

"Bilge" shape SiC crucible Tech Data

"Bilge" shape Clay Graphite crucible Tech Data

Ordering Info:

FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITEMS! (In the lower 48 states)

ItemSizeTypeShapePrice

#5000B0000Clay-GraphiteBilge$36.00


#5012A1Clay-GraphiteA$18.00

#5013A1Silicon CarbideA$19.30



#5023A2Silicon CarbideA$23.00



#5033A3Silicon Carbide A$27.60



#5041B4Silicon-CarbideBilge$138.60

#5043A4Silicon-CarbideA$31.70










#5102A10Clay-GraphiteA$43.10OUT OF STOCK















#5400B40Clay GraphiteA$166.60



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Foundry Crucibles