VM Crucibles
P
arr VM Crucibles with
insert covers have been
developed especially for
determining volatile matter in
coal and coke according to the
standard ASTM test method
D3175*. They meet all require-
ments of the ASTM method
except they are made of a
special nickel-chromiurn alloy
instead of platinum. In this test
volatile matter is determined
by heating a coal sample in a
metal crucible with a closely
fitting cover for seven minutes
at 950 °C. Parr VM Crucibles
will withstand the severe con-
ditions imposed by this test,
maintaining a remarkably con-
stant tare weight and offering
an attractive substitute for the
expensive platinum crucibles
specified in the ASTM method.
The wide acceptance and gen-
eral use of these special alloy
crucibles over the past sixty
years will attest to their ability
to perform satisfactorily in rou-
tine volatile matter determina-
tions. In addition, their superior
strength and light weight, com-
bined with uniform thickness
and excellent resistance to oxi-
dation, make them equally suit-
able for other ignition purposes
where working temperatures do
not exceed 1000 °C.
Limitations
Parr VM Crucibles will ordi-
narily withstand the corrosive
conditions produced when
working with many different
materials and precipitates, but
it must be emphasized that
their corrosion resistance is not
equivalent to that of a noble
metal such as platinum. Coal
samples that have been treated
with chlorinated solvents must
have all of the solvent removed
before they are heated in a
VM Crucible, since chlorinated
solvents will attack the crucible
and cause cracking. These cru-
cibles also are not suitable for
procedures involving second-
ary treatment with acids, as
is sometimes practiced with
precipitates of lead, iron, mag-
nesium phosphate and the like.
They also are not suitable for
alkali fusions in silicate analy-
ses, or for the volatilization of
silica with hydrofluoric acid,
and they are not recommended
for ashing flours where calcium
acetate is employed.
In some cases Parr VM
Crucibles have been used as
sample holders in oxygen
combustion bombs, but this
practice is not recommended.
These thin wall crucibles may
ignite under the high tempera-
ture and extreme oxidizing con-
ditions developed in an oxygen
bomb, causing dangerous
pressures and possible serious
damage to the bomb. Other
metal sample holders with
heavier walls are made espe-
cially for oxygen bomb tests.
Specifications
Parr VM Crucibles and insert
covers are fabricated from
a special nickel-chromium
alloy selected for its specific
resistance to oxidation when
heated repeatedly to 1000 °C.
Both crucibles and covers have
uniform walls and bottoms
approximately 0.5 mm thick
with sidewall tapers designed
so that the insert cover fits
snugly in the top of the crucible
as required in the standard
test method. Each crucible is
electro-polished to obtain a
smooth, matte finish which will
readily take and hold a passive
oxide film.
Ordering Guide
3102 Crucible 3103 Insert
Only
Cover
Diameter, inside top
25.5 mm
25.5 mm
Diameter, inside bottom
17.0 mm
23.0 mm
Height, overall
34.0 mm*
11.0 mm
Weight, average
14.9 g
7.0 g
Volume, crucible only
13.0 mL
Volume with insert cover
11.5 mL
* Height w/cover 39.0 mm
Instructions
To establish normal constant
weight, each new VM Crucible
should be given a preliminary
heating. This will produce a
hard, dull, grey-green oxide
coating which will resist fur-
ther oxidation. To develop this
coating the crucible should be
heated for one hour, either in
an electric muffle furnace at
950 °C or over the full flame of
a Meker type gas burner. This
procedure should be repeated
during the life of the crucible
whenever it has been cleaned
or whenever the oxide coating
has been destroyed. Do not
use coarse or sharp abrasives
on these crucibles as they
will remove the oxide coating
which provides resistance to
oxidation and produces stabil-
ity in the tare weight.
For determining volatile matter in coal and coke,
and for other ignition, ashing and incineration purposes.
VM Crucible Specifications
VM Crucibles can be ordered either with or without
insert covers under the following catalog numbers:
3101
VM Crucible with insert cover
3102
VM Crucible without cover
3103
Insert cover for VM Crucible
Bulletin 3100 2000 0308 Printed in USA
Parr Instrument Company
211 53rd Street, Moline, Illinois 61265 USA
Phone: 309-762-7716 or 800-872-7720
Fax: 309-762-9453
Email:
* ASTM D3175, “Standard Test Method for Volatile
Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke”,
American Society for Testing and Materials,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
