What is Slip Casting?

Slip Casting is a technique for production of hollow shapes with uniform wall thickness and an opening to the interior. This is ideal for shapes such as crucibles, trays, tubes, boats, etc.

What are some useful applications for MgO crucibles?

The MgO crucible was developed by Los Alamos National Laboratories during the Manhattan Project to purify the world's first plutonium. The unique properties of MgO have commercial uses for Molten Metal Alloy Processing, High Temp Ceramic Superconductor Materials, and Piezoelectric Materials Processing. The low cost and ready availability also make it attractive as a substitute for Al203 ware.

Why is MgO used for high performance heater application?

MgO has a rare combination of properties that recommend it for high temperature electrical resistance applications. It has High Thermal Conductivity as ceramics go, not in comparison to metals, and High Insulation Resistance and Dielectric strength by comparison to most simple oxide ceramics, but not as good as low temperature polymers. It has a High Melting Point and Thermal Stability with a low cost.