Magnesium Oxide Crucible - Material Information

Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a high-performance refractory ceramic material valued for its outstanding thermal stability, electrical insulation, and chemical inertness. As a crucible material, MgO offers superior resistance to alkalis, molten metals, and corrosive slag environments, making it indispensable for research and industrial applications operating at extreme temperatures above 2000 °C. Its robustness, low vapor pressure, and compatibility with metals like sodium, nickel-based superalloys, and uranium compounds make it an ideal choice for demanding thermal processes.

Material Overview

MgO crystallizes in a rock-salt (NaCl) structure with high lattice energy and a melting point near 2852 °C. Its thermal conductivity ranges from 30–60 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ at room temperature, with excellent dimensional stability under thermal cycling. Studies by Song et al. (2014) demonstrated that high-purity, high-density MgO ceramics (>97% relative density) exhibit outstanding air-tightness and corrosion resistance even after prolonged exposure to molten metals. In crucible applications, MgO maintains chemical stability due to its low solubility in metallic melts and low vaporization rates. Liu et al. (2018) developed an in-situ spinel-reinforced MgO crucible using nano alumina sol, which improved thermal shock resistance and reduced sintering temperatures to 1350–1550 °C. More recent work by Khan et al. (2024) on magnesium aluminate nanoparticle crucibles reported enhanced structural integrity and low heat flow at 600 °C, confirming the potential of MgO-based composites for next-generation refractory systems.

Applications and Advantages

Magnesium oxide crucibles are used in metallurgy, crystal growth, and superconductor fabrication where chemical purity and temperature resistance are critical. They outperform alumina crucibles in environments containing alkaline or heavy metal melts. MgO’s high dielectric strength also makes it suitable for high-voltage insulators and thermally stable supports in electronic and nuclear components. Wang et al. (2011) introduced a double-coating sintering technique that enhances MgO crucible durability, preventing peeling and improving the strength of coated surfaces. This innovation allows repeated use of MgO crucibles in ultra-high-temperature furnaces. The material’s resistance to lead-based fluxes and molten uranium compounds further extends its use in advanced material synthesis and nuclear research.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow offers magnesium oxide crucibles in high-purity, dense ceramic forms optimized for laboratory and industrial use. Each crucible is manufactured to precise specifications to ensure stability under extreme temperature gradients. Custom geometries, wall thicknesses, and capacities are available upon request to support specialized applications in metallurgy, semiconductor processing, and high-temperature research.

Explore Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Crucibles and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Khan, S. A., Zain, Z. M., Siddiqui, Z., Khan, W., Aabid, A., Baig, M., & Malik, M. A. (2024). Development of magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O3) nanoparticles for refractory crucible application. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296793
• Song, C., Qin, X., Xin, H., Jian, Z., Di, L., Liu, Y., & Li, L. (2014). High-purity high-density magnesium-oxide ceramic and preparation method thereof. Patent.
• Liu, Z., Liu, X., Ye, B., Ding, Z., & Ding, W. (2018). Magnesium oxide whisker in-situ synthesized spinel reinforced magnesium oxide-based crucible and preparation method thereof. Patent.
• Wang, N., Mu, Z., Lin, Y., Pan, Z., & Zhang, B. (2011). Method for manufacturing high-temperature crucible with magnesium oxide coating. Patent.
• Shan, Z. (2015). Oxide ceramic material with high thermal conductivity and preparation method thereof. Patent.