Crucible holders are often used when crucibles are removed from the furnace and need to cool without the risk of toppling. They are a good example of a geometry that is challenging to make by many common ceramic forming techniques. They have variable wall thickness, as the inner structure must follow the shape of the crucible to be held, yet the outer must provide stability. The wall thicknesses are often thick, and the holders are relatively large, and many have geometries with multiple features to spec tolerances.

The unique characteristics of iso-static pressing means that crucible holders can be manufactured with relative ease to a customer drawing. The uniform application of pressure that occurs during isostatic pressing means that relatively large, thick pieces of ceramic can be formed. If the shape can not be pressed directly, these features can be added later, either by machining in the green (unfired) condition, or after firing.

Almath frequently manufactures ceramic components to customer drawings. Our slip casting and pressing capability mean that nearly any quantity, size, shape and dimension can be produced from alumina, magnesia or zirconia.

The brittle nature of ceramics often means that they are challenging to form, and often components with only small and simple shapes can be made from the traditional processes. Iso-static pressing can be used to manufacture parts in low to high volume, either by pressing directly, or by pressing to a near net shape component that can be subsequent machined. In iso-static pressing the mould can be used almost immediately, without the need for drying leading to much higher production rates and higher capacity than slip casting. Almath is able to support customers in design for manufacture, whilst our range of manufactures techniques enable us to consider almost any component design.

Almath focuses mainly on high purity, high density materials for crucibles and components. These materials are particularly suited to applications where contamination is a key concern. Our materials are also suitable for a range of other technical ceramic applications, where high performance properties are required in demanding conditions. Applications include, but are not limited to: