Why Graphite crucible offer a number of advantages for elemental analysis, by inert gas fusion, particularly in melting and metallurgical analysis applications.
Excellent thermal conductivity
Graphite is a material renowned for its exceptional thermal conductivity. This characteristic enables rapid, even temperature rise, reducing melting time and ensuring uniform heat distribution. This thermal homogeneity is essential for accurate, repeatable analytical results.
Resistance to high temperatures
One of graphite's main assets is its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, exceeding 3,000°C in an inert atmosphere. This property makes it ideal for elemental analysis by inert gas fusion requiring intense heat.
Low chemical reactivity
Graphite is chemically stable and has low reactivity with many samples. This chemical inertness limits the risk of contamination, which is essential for reliable analysis, especially in laboratories where sample purity is a priority.
Durability and longevity
Thanks to its layered structure, graphite is particularly resistant to thermal and mechanical shock. This means it can be stored for a long time without losing its properties, making it more economical than other materials such as ceramic or platinum.
Can be used in a controlled atmosphere
Graphite can be used in an inert atmosphere (Argon, Helium) to avoid oxidation and guarantee accurate results. This property is particularly valuable when analyzing sensitive metals such as Aluminum or Titanium. As Graphite crucible may be used for Oxygen analysis, it prevents contamination by unwanted oxidation.
Conclusion
Graphite's high thermal conductivity, resistance to extreme temperatures, low chemical reactivity and durability make it the material of choice for sample analysis. It offers high reliability, limits the risk of contamination and is easy to handle. If you're looking for high-performance crucibles tailored to your analytical requirements, graphite is the obvious choice.
Célia OLIVERO Product Specialist at HORIBA France
