Which crucibles are best suited for high-temperature analyses?

Regular sample pans melt or warp in extreme heat. Only the right material can keep structure and safety during high-temperature research and production runs.

Platinum and sapphire crucibles work best for high-temperature thermal analysis due to their resistance to melting, shape loss, and chemical breakdown at elevated temperatures.

 

Crucible Options for High-Temperature Testing

Material	Max Working Temp (°C)	Heat Stability	Main Use Scenarios
Platinum	1600	Excellent	Oxidation, catalysis, ceramics
Sapphire	1800	Outstanding	Glass, minerals, advanced sensors
Ceramic	1200	Very Good	Metals, battery, glass powders

I regularly recommend platinum or sapphire for labs working above 1000°C. According to thermal analysis research, most common metals and plastics will fail at these temperatures. The right high-end crucible keeps results stable and reliable even as stress rises during difficult test cycles.

 

How to select crucibles for reactive or corrosive sample testing?

Some samples react with aluminum or crack ceramics. Special applications call for more inert and sturdy crucibles.

Crucibles made from platinum or coated ceramics are best for reactive or corrosive samples. Their chemistry resists most acids and bases, and maintains sample purity.

 

Crucible Selection for Reactive/Corrosive Environments

Material	Chemical Resistance	Use Case	Supporting Feature
Platinum	Excellent (most acids/bases)	Strong acids, drug discovery	No surface reaction or leaching
Coated Ceramic	Very Good	Electrolytes, batteries	Custom coatings for stability
SiC (Silicon Carbide)	Strong, depending on grade	Alkali, special energy samples	Custom grades for extra inertness

I help clients check reactivity data and chemical resistance charts for each sample type before placing an order. With volatile or acidic media, certified platinum or treated ceramic types prevent unexpected errors and costly lab contamination.

 

What crucible types are ideal for small sample volumes?

Many labs need accurate testing with tiny amounts of material. Some pans and containers simply cannot measure micrograms or milligrams with reliability.

Small-volume aluminum or sapphire crucibles allow precise control and stable signals for low-mass samples in DSC or TGA. Their design holds samples securely for repeat tests.

 

Recommended Crucibles for Small Sample Testing

Material	Min. Volume (mg)	Performance Benefit	Main Laboratory Use
High-Purity Aluminum	up to 1	Low pan weight, good heat transfer	Polymer analysis, pharma QC
Sapphire	up to 0.5	Stable background, inert surface	Trace analysis, optical materials
Platinum	up to 0.8	Minimal absorption, no impurities	Valuable or rare samples

I have worked with university labs that order micro-volume crucibles for research in electronics and biochemistry. Published DSC guides confirm that choosing small, pure vessels makes the difference in repeatable, reliable signal detection for low-mass studies.

 

How do different crucibles perform under rapid heating conditions?

Fast temperature ramps test both the sample and the sample holder. Only special crucibles can guarantee results without heat lag or signal drift.

Aluminum and sapphire crucibles show fast and uniform response under rapid heating thanks to their high thermal conductivity and strong structure at speed.

 

Crucible Response in Fast Heating Experiments

Material	Thermal Conductivity	Uniformity Under Ramp	Recommended Use Case
High-Purity Aluminum	High	Excellent	Routine, quick DSC scans
Sapphire	Very High	Outstanding	Optical and high-speed applications
Ceramic	Medium	Good, but may lag at highest rates	Stable ramp TGA or battery study

I always advise customers to choose high-conductivity pans for speed tests or rapid cycling. Thermal analysis sourcebooks confirm that sluggish or uneven heating from bad crucibles means more noise and unreliable data. Good fit and fast transfer make real results possible, even in the most demanding daily work.