Recycling Platinum Lab Crucibles: A Deep Dive into What You Need to Know
We’ve written in the past about recycling platinum laboratory equipment. Back in 2014, for example, we published a post entitled, “Bright Shiny Platinum Could Be Hiding in your Dented and Dirty Old Labware.”
Let’s fast forward to 2023. In the video that accompanies today’s blog post, we interview Dan Fried, President and Founder of Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners, about making money recycling platinum and iridium crucibles.
The result is a “deep dive” into the process of making money by recycling platinum and iridium crucibles. We know you will want to watch this video and absorb the information it presents. Here is a summary of what you will learn.
Why Platinum and Iridium Are Used in Some Crucibles
There are many uses for metal laboratory crucibles, but let’s consider just one – melting other metals. The melting point of platinum is 3,216ᴼ Fahrenheit; and the melting point of iridium is 4,335ᴼ. Therefore, platinum or iridium crucibles can be used as containers to melt gold which has a melting point of about 1,948ᴼ, or silver, which has a melting point of 1,861ᴼ.
You can melt those other metals in a platinum or iridium crucible without melting the crucible itself.
A Simple Test to Determine If a Crucible Is Made of Platinum or Iridium
Use a propane torch to heat your crucible until it is red hot. Then let it cool down. If the crucible you are testing is made of platinum or iridium, it will not show any burn marks or discolorations; it will return to its original shiny white color.
Mr. Fried notes that you can use that same torch method to test a variety of materials, including platinum mesh and thermocouple wires.
Have Specialty Metals Test Your Crucibles in Our Advanced Modern Labs
If you have crucibles or other platinum objects, Specialty Metals can test them for you. Call Dan Fried and his team at 1-800-426-2344 or e-mail sales@specialtymetals.com and someone from the team will get back to you.
And please remember to subscribe to the Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners YouTube channel.
What Are Crucibles? A Quick Review
A laboratory crucible is a small, cylindrical container that is typically made of platinum. It is used in chemistry and other scientific disciplines for heating, melting, or otherwise processing small quantities of solid or liquid substances at high temperatures. Crucibles are essential tools in laboratories and are designed to withstand extreme heat without reacting with the substances they contain.
Common uses of laboratory crucibles include:
Annealing - Crucibles can be used to anneal, or slowly cool, certain materials to relieve stress or improve their mechanical properties.
Ashing - Crucibles are used for ashing procedures, where organic materials are heated to remove all the carbonaceous material, leaving behind only inorganic residues.
Combustion - They are also used in combustion analysis to determine the composition of substances by burning them in a controlled environment.
Evaporation - In chemistry, crucibles can be employed to evaporate solvents or other volatile substances, leaving behind a solid residue for further analysis.
Heating and melting - Crucibles are often used to heat and melt solid substances, such as metals, salts, and minerals, to conduct various chemical reactions or analyze their properties.
Crucibles come in various sizes, and their selection depends on the quantity of material to be processed and the required temperature range. Proper handling and care are essential to avoid contamination or damage to the crucible and to ensure accurate and safe laboratory experiments.
Related Posts
Everything You Need to Know about Making Money by Recycling Iridium
Beyond Gold, Platinum, and Silver Wire . . . Make More Money Recycling Thermocouples
How to Pick the Best Precious Metals Recycling Company
What You Need to Know about Environmentally Friendly Platinum Refining