Hotness and Heavy Metal!

[jonessoda]

I've googled and found no good answers to the following questions.

1. Where online can I get a crucible that will withstand at least 1800degF heat, has around 6-7 cu.in. capacity, and is preferably relatively inexpensive? This will be placed in a kiln running at about 1500degF in order to melt an alloy for casting as an ingot.

2. Would tin be suitable for casting an ingot intended as a gift (just a shiny thing, not intended to be valuable) or would it be too soft and non-durable? If it is unusable, what (preferable lead-free) alloy would you suggest?

 

[jonessoda]

Edited title hoping for increased response.

 

[Eli]

Stainless steel, but you'll have to up your numbers.

 

[IronWing]

For crucibles the main suppliers will be scientific supply houses such as VWR, ColePalmer, LabSafety Inc. The main brand for crucibles is Coors (yes, as in the beer). Also might try jewelry supply places such as http://www.silversupplies.com/

The jewelry supply places might also be able to guide you to an appropriate alloy that will preform well and won't kill you via fumes.

 

[jonessoda]

Originally posted by: ironwing
The jewelry supply places might also be able to guide you to an appropriate alloy that will preform well and won't kill you via fumes.

We have a fume hood that works very well, wouldn't that be good enough for casting a heavy-metal bearing alloy for short-term exposure?. Thanks for the lab-supply places, though.

Originally posted by: Eli
Stainless steel, but you'll have to up your numbers.

Our kiln will barely pull 1800degF. Maybe if we leave it heating for 24 hours, we could get it to 2000, but the instructor who owns it (this is a side project, but I have permission to run use the kiln since it'll be running anyway) does not want to leave it unsupervised at a temp of more than about 1600.

It was and is an enamel kiln, but has been repurposed several times for things such as this.

 

[bigdog1218]

Try a site like this, Crucibles, the alumina at 100 mL, which is about the size you want will run you $35. Just look for ceramic crucibles if that site doesn't have what you want.

Edit: Careful with the cooling, I've had alumina discs crack on me because I cooled them too quickly.