Zirconia Square Crucibles are high-performance ceramic containers made from zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). Known for exceptional thermal stability and chemical resistance, they are engineered for demanding high-temperature processes. The square shape offers distinct advantages over traditional round crucibles, including efficient space utilization in furnaces, improved sample stacking, and enhanced stability during handling.

Key Advantages

• Extreme Temperature Resistance: Withstands temperatures up to 2,200°C+ (4,000°F+) in oxidizing atmospheres.

• Superior Thermal Shock Resistance: Resists cracking under rapid temperature changes far better than alumina or quartz.

• Exceptional Chemical Inertness: Highly resistant to corrosion from molten metals, slags, acids, alkalis, and aggressive fluxes.

• Low Thermal Conductivity: Minimizes heat loss and promotes uniform heating.

• High Mechanical Strength & Toughness: Resists chipping, cracking, and deformation under load at high temperatures (especially with stabilized ZrO₂ like YSZ).

• Non-Wetting: Minimizes reaction and sticking with many molten metals and glasses.

• Square Design Benefits:

  • Maximizes furnace chamber space utilization.

  • Allows stable stacking/nesting.

  • Facilitates easy placement and removal of rectangular samples.

  • Provides flat surfaces for specific applications (e.g., substrate placement).

Performance Characteristics

• Max. Operating Temp: 2,200°C - 2,400°C (4,000°F - 4,350°F) in air (depends on stabilizer & purity).

• Thermal Shock Resistance: Excellent (ΔT > 400°C typical).

• Chemical Resistance: Excellent against most acids, alkalis, and molten metals (exceptions: hydrofluoric acid, strong caustics at high temp, reactive metals like Ti).

• Density: High (typically >5.7 g/cm³).

• Hardness: Very high (Mohs ~8.5).

• Thermal Conductivity: Low (~2-3 W/m·K), acting as a thermal insulator.

• Electrical Insulation: Excellent at high temperatures.

• Forms: Typically Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) or Magnesia-Partially-Stabilized Zirconia (Mg-PSZ) for optimal toughness and stability.

Primary Applications

• High-Temperature Melting & Casting: Precious metals (Pt, Au, Pd), reactive metals/alloys, specialty glasses.

• Crystal Growth: Flux growth, Bridgman method (square cross-section advantageous).

• Advanced Ceramic Sintering: High-temp sintering of technical ceramics (e.g., Al₂O₃, Si₃N₄, SiC) where contamination must be avoided.

• Heat Treatment: Annealing, calcination, debinding of sensitive materials at extreme temperatures.

• Fusion Sample Preparation: For XRF, ICP-MS/OES (using fluxes like lithium borates - excellent flux resistance).

• Semiconductor Processing: Handling high-purity materials or processes requiring extreme inertness.

• Research & Development: Labs requiring ultra-high temperature stability and chemical purity.

• Specialty Glass & Optical Fiber Production.