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Cleaning crucibles

Posted by Anonymous on Fri, 2015-04-24 16:20

Cleaning crucibles : Hi. Does anybody have an easy way of cleaning the magnesium oxide
out of crucibles after heating magnesium ribbon in them. I usually wash them in detergent,
which leaves a stain, and then reuse them. I have been asked to find a better way of cleaning
them.

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

Year Level:
10
Senior Secondary
Laboratory Technicians:
Laboratory Technicians

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cleaning crucibles
Submitted by kris.szalai on 28 April 2015

The oxidation reaction of magnesium (Mg) with oxygen (O) in a ceramic crucible is commonly
performed in high school senior science chemistry to produce magnesium oxide (MgO). This
leaves behind a black carbon-like residue, which becomes strongly bonded to the crucible
surface.
The link to this website has more detailed information:

Armstrong, Jacob A. 2005, ‘Combustion induced reaction of magnesium with a silicate coated
crucible surface’, Journal of Young Investigators https://www.jyi.org/2005-
february/2005/2/9/combustion-induced-reaction-o...

Trying to clean glassware and ceramic crucibles that have chemical/metal oxide residue
stains is problematic and can be a time-consuming exercise. To be honest, I don't think
there's a way to get ALL the staining off of the crucible. When the magnesium burns, it often
burns off the surface of the ceramic. Once that is not there, the stains are very difficult to
remove.

A stain in the crucible will not injure it for future use. Science ASSIST recommends re-using
the crucibles for this activity, rather than spending valuable time trying to remove the staining
left from the burnt residue. Crucibles, like glassware, are consumable items and are cheap
enough to replace by purchasing new ones from science suppliers.

Safe work practices: Any chipped, cracked or broken crucibles should be disposed of safely.
Science ASSIST has developed an information sheet for the safe disposal of laboratory
glassware see AIS: Lab glass and porcelain disposal. Safe and environmentally appropriate
ways of cleaning and disposal of the waste from the chemicals used in the cleaning process
should be non-hazardous and not cause environmental harm. A site-specific Risk Assessment
should always be carried out and used in conjunction with Safety Data Sheets.

Cleaning: Scrape out the contents of the crucibles using a wire brush to remove the more
stubborn bits and, if necessary in order to make it clean, scour it thoroughly with moist
powdered pumice or fine sand. (Gumption is also a good abrasive cleaner). Wash them
thoroughly in hot soapy water and then make sure that they are dry (this removes any residual
magnesium or magnesium oxide) before soaking in either:

dilute solutions, followed by concentrated hydrochloric acid

dilute solutions, followed by concentrated nitric acid

Soaking times vary from 5 to 10 minutes for general glassware or up to 12 hours for problem
stains. After soaking, rinse 3 times in tap water and then once in distilled water and air dry.
After that anything that is ingrained into the ceramic glaze is not going to come off.

Science ASSIST strongly advises against preparing or using the following solutions for the
cleaning of glassware or porcelain because they are extremely corrosive and/or carcinogenic
and/or potentially explosive.

Aqua regia

Piranha Solution

Hydrofluoric acid

Chromic acid (also known as dichromic acid)

Fuming sulphuric acid

See also a related question: Dichromic acid glass cleaner waste

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dungey, Barbara, 2006, The Laboratory: a science reference and preparation manual for
schools. Revised edition. Contemporary Press Pty. Ltd., Victoria

Chemwatch Gold. 2014. Safety Data sheet: Magnesium.

Chemwatch Gold. 2014. Safety Data sheet: Hydrochloric acid.

Chemwatch Gold. 2014. Safety Data sheet: Nitric acid

https://jr.chemwatch.net/chemwatch.web (subscription required accessed 2015).

Source URL: https://assist.asta.edu.au/question/2788/cleaning-crucibles