About Crucible Tongs
Crucible tongs are steel tools that are welded and used to pull hot crucibles out from furnaces. The tips of crucible tongs are corrugated to make for easy handling. They also have riveted joints. They are very useful in both homes and laboratories where the handling of extremely hot devices is common. Here is some more information about crucible tongs.
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Types
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There are three main types of crucible tongs. Charging tongs are used to place metal in hot crucibles. Latching tongs include latch bars that hold the tongs closed and make pulling them up much easier. Non-latching tongs do not include the latching bar. Instead, they contain a user-adjustable stop that restricts the level of clamping force that can be applied to the crucible. They also come in different materials, including brass, nickel and stainless steel.
Benefits
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Crucible tongs are a required safety precaution and should be used whenever handling hot or otherwise hazardous materials. They are usually durable and handcrafted, and if properly stored and used, they should last you years and years. They also don't have to be used to pick up crucibles. You can use these tongs to pick up flasks, beakers and test tubes.
Features
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Some of the features of typical crucible tongs are quarter-inch nickel plated steel wires that are rustproof, aligned corrugated tips and riveted joints. It is a good idea to look for crucible tongs that have longer handles, because the longer handles provided added safety elements (for reaching into fume hoods or ovens).
Expert Insight
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Crucible tongs are inexpensive and are a very good investment. You can find them at lab equipment stores either in your area, or through ordering online through companies like Ward's Natural Science and Optic's Planet. The longer tongs are slightly more expensive.
Warning
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Using crucible tongs is definitely not the only safety precaution you should take when handling crucibles. Expect the crucible to be so scorching hot that you will need to wear boots, jeans and thick gloves. Safety goggles are also a good idea. By no means do you want to burn yourself with the crucible.
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