"TomNBanderaTx" wrote in message
. com...
Ok, newbie casting question, I read somewhere that you need to season the
crucibles before melting metals in them. Anyone know if this is fact or
fiction? Thanks in advace. T



I used both silicon carbide and graphite clay crucibles for years. It's
important to "season" the graphite/clay type if you don't want it to crack.
The idea is to expel any residual moisture it has accumulated, assuming it's
been stored on damp concrete, or in a moist environment. Silicon carbide
crucibles don't require it and I've never had one fail by putting it
directly in service by melting in it.

To season your graphite/clay crucibles, all you have to do is place them
where it's warm and dry before putting them in service. It's not a bad
idea to place it on the cover of your furnace when it's in operation,
avoiding the vent hole. It that's not possible, and your furnace runs
quite warm around the perimeter, place it near, sitting on a fire brick that
is known to be dry. Make sure you get it up to the boiling point for a
while before putting it in service. By doing that, you should avoid
cracking.

Harold