Dimensions - guide
Height = 25mm
Diameter = 26mm
Nominal wall thickness 1mm
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 25mm
Diameter = 30mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 33mm.
Diameter = 35mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 38mm.
Diameter = 38mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 40mm.
Diameter = 40mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 38mm.
Diameter = 45mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 39mm.
Diameter = 45mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 40mm.
Diameter = 45mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 45mm.
Diameter = 45mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 45mm.
Diameter = 48mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature
Dimensions - guide
Height = 48mm.
Diameter = 51mm.
Nominal wall thickness 1mm.
Supplied in standard packs of 1.
Benefit of using zirconium crucibles, they do not require platinum tipped tongs.
Zirconium crucibles are fragile! Handle carefully during unpacking, transportation, handling and cleaning.
Zirconium exhibits superb corrosion resistance in most organic and inorganic acids, salt solutions, strong alkalis and a few molten salts. An effective all round crucible for fusions employing sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide.
Heating zirconium produces a creamy white passive oxide film, corrosion barrier, stable in both reducing and oxidizing conditions.
Check before heating any crucible for any micro-cracks, replace with new zirconium crucible.
Do not over load material in zirconium crucibles, this can increase the possibility of uneven heating.
Under vacuum, argon or helium zirconium crucibles can be heated to 1450°C otherwise temperature limit for use in air is 450˚C to 500˚C.
A slow heating 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.
DO NOT take zirconium crucibles directly out of furnace at high temperature otherwise they may crack. Recommend remove from heat when the temperature is under 100°C.
Zirconium crucibles should NOT be heated by torch or furnaces that cannot control temperature change rate. The uneven heating can cause cracks!
It is no secret that zirconium crucibles cost more than porcelain, steel or nickel. However the average number of fusions that can be made in a zirconium crucible, as opposed to those of nickel, the ratio of longevity stands at 20 to 1. The higher cost zirconium crucible is recovered many times over.
In addition to cost effectiveness, zirconium crucibles hold several advantages over other materials in the laboratory. If compared to platinum, several distinct advantages are readily apparent.
- Ideal for most fusions done in full heat, resulting in little or no attack or oxidation of the crucible regardless material or flux mixture.
- Resistant to melts of alkali (Na, K, Li) carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrates, chlorides and some fluorides, or combinations of above.
- Completely resistant to most solvents of all concentrations except hydrofluoric acid.
- Offers virtual elimination of sample contamination.
- Resistance to molten sodium peroxide.
- Will not alloy with more easily reducible metals.
- Unlike platinum no smoothing and reshaping is necessary.
- Does not have the high-cost investment and security problems of platinum.
Many regard Zirconium as a rare metal yet it is not uncommon but an
exotic material.
Zirconium, however, has many rare, even unique, qualities such as
its remarkable corrosion resistance, being used extensively in the
chemical processing industry. Zirconium will withstand a range of
caustics and acids to a greater degree than any other commonly used
metal and stands in a class by itself.
Cleaning Zirconium crucibles
Hydrofluoric acid is the only cleaning agent that should not be
used to clean zirconium crucibles.
Applications for Zirconium Crucibles
Zirconium crucibles are suitable for several applications in the
analytical chemistry.
- Sodium Peroxide Fusions - used with refractory or high-silica materials such as chromate, magnetite, ilmenite, retile, silicon, silicon carbide, and certain alloys and steels. An excellent general flux for almost any material.
- Sodium Carbonate Fusions - decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium, nickel; also halides of silver; and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Lithium Salt Fusions - flux for oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined or when large amounts of sodium would interfere with x-ray fluorescence or atomic absorption procedures.
Fusions in Zirconium Crucibles
Fusions are best where there is little or no attack or oxidation of
the crucible - regardless of the sample material or flux
mixture.
In making fusions, the sample is mixed with 4 to 10 times its
weight of flux and placed over a bed of flux in the crucible and
heated.
When molten it either becomes clear/homogeneous, or a very bright
red, the fusion is now complete. The fused mass can be allowed to
solidify in the crucible. The crucible and contents can then be
placed in a beaker covered with water and the suitable solvent
added to remove the fused mass from the crucible. Any material
adhered to crucible can be dissolved out with more solvent.
Under these conditions only a few milligrams of zirconium will be
introduced into the sample. If this trace needs removing it can be
accomplished by using strong acid solutions (HCl, H2SO4).
Fluxes which can be used in Zirconium Crucibles
Listed below are fluxes that can be used to reduce melting points
along with some applications that are normally troublesome.
- Sodium Peroxide - use with refractory materials such as chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, silicon, silicon carbide, certain alloys and steels, etc., an excellent general flux for most any material. Two precautions to be taken when fusing chromite or other material high in chrome. When these materials are fused with peroxide, the chrome is oxidized to chromate which will tend to leave a yellow film on the inside of the crucible which will be unnoticed until the crucible has been removed from the subsequent dissolving operation, rinsed and dried.
This can be prevented by adding a few millilitres of hydrogen
peroxide to the acid solvent (H2S04) while the crucible is still
immersed. The peroxide in acid reduces chromate to chromic chrome
which goes readily into solution. The excess peroxide can be
eliminated by boiling. Chrome can then be determined by the usual
persulfate oxidation followed by a reduction titration.
Peroxide fusions of silicon carbide and other finely pulverized
metals and alloys are another matter. These materials tend to react
violently at very low temperatures with oxidizing fluxes and will
often burn right through iron or nickel crucibles on their first
use. However, these can be safely fused in zirconium if the sample
is first mixed with about 4 to 6 times its weight of powdered
anhydrous sodium carbonate; (0.25gram sample is usually more than
enough) then add about twice the sample weight of sodium peroxide
and mix.
The crucible and contents are then gently heated until melting
around the edges begins.
When the mixture appears to be melted and quiet, the temperature
can be increased and fusion continued as usual.
- Sodium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 850°C. Decomposes most silicates of aluminium, calcium, chromium nickel, etc.; also halides of silver, and sulphates of barium and lead.
- Potassium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 910°C. Acts the same as sodium carbonate and can be mixed with it.
- Sodium and Potassium Carbonate: mixture acts as either one alone but melts at a lower temperature than either one alone.
- (Na, K) carbonates plus oxidizing agent: (KNO3, KC103, Na202, Mg0, Zn0): Used on sulphide ores of arsenic, antimony, iron, nickel, molybdenum, etc.
- Sodium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Basic flux for oxidized ores of tin, zinc, antimony, etc.
- Potassium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 360°C.
- Sodium Chloride: Melting Point approximately 800°C. Neutral flux. Can be used as a cover for fusion mixtures.
- Potassium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 340°C. Powerful oxidizing agent and basic flux. Used as a mixture with carbonates.
- Sodium Nitrate: Melting Point approximately 320°C. Acts same as potassium nitrate.
- Lithium metaborate: Melting Point approximately 840°C. Flux for various oxide and silicate materials when sodium and potassium need to be determined.
- Lithium Carbonate: Melting Point approximately 620°C.
- Lithium Hydroxide: Melting Point approximately 450°C. Can be added to other fluxes to help lower melting points.
- Lithium Fluoride: Melting Point approximately 870°C. Added to (Na, K) carbonates.
- Calcium Carbonate - Ammonium Chloride: A sintering flux used to make soluble alkalis for analysis of sodium and potassium.
- Sodium Borate (Borax glass): Melting Point approximately 740°C. Used with (Na, K) carbonates to give a lower melting flux for refractory silicates and oxides of aluminium, iron, nickel, etc.
This list of fluxes can be used in any combination in zirconium
crucibles so long as the fusions are made in the reducing flame of
the gas burner or in a furnace equipped to provide an inert
atmosphere such as argon or maybe helium. Nitrogen might be used if
the fusion time at high temperature was relatively short, but not
recommended and will embrittle zirconium after exposure for long
periods of time that may shorten the useful life of the
crucible.
An additional benefit can be obtained by combining two or more
sodium or potassium salts (carbonates, peroxides, hydroxides); or
two or more lithium salts (borates, peroxides, carbonates,
hydroxides). Using this procedure, the melting temperature of the
fusion can often be lowered to a temperature below that at which
any of the fluxes alone would melt. This lower melting point also
results in an easier-to-pour melt, a faster fusion process and an
increase to the useful life of the zirconium crucible.
Zirconium crucibles and covers, and other laboratory ware are an
excellent alternative to the very expensive noble metals e.g
platinum and fragile glass, porcelain and quartz ware for making
peroxide and similar fusions in preparing samples for chemical
analysis.
While prolonged exposure to air at temperatures of more than 750°C
can have a negative effect on zirconium, this can be reduced by
either: using cooler reduced portion of the flame, or enveloping
the crucible in an inert atmosphere.
The following have been found NOT suitable for Zirconium
Crucibles
Chemical analysis of Magnesite and Dolomite refractories using
Luoyang Method at 1000°C in a furnace.
No accessories available for this product.
PDF File Product Literature