Quartz Crucibles: Sizes, Lids, Shapes and How to Choose
A quartz crucible is a fused-quartz vessel that holds a sample while it is heated, for example for ashing or calcination in a muffle or tube furnace. Our standard crucibles come in ten sizes from 5 mL to 300 mL, can be used continuously up to 1,100 °C and for short periods up to 1,200 °C, and are not suitable for hydrofluoric acid at any concentration.
Quartz Crucibles — Selection Guide
Quartz Crucibles: Sizes, Lids, Shapes and How to Choose
Ten standard sizes from 5 mL to 300 mL, lidded versions, flat-bottom and flanged shapes, and custom crucibles made to your drawing. This guide shows how to choose a size and shape, what the temperature limits are, and what quartz cannot be used for.
10
Standard sizes
5–300 mL
Capacity range
1,100 °C
Continuous use
1,200 °C
Short periods
Who wrote this: the MachinedQuartz team. Sizes, shapes and lids in this guide are taken from our crucible listings (39 listings at the time of writing). Temperature limits are the figures supplied by MachinedQuartz for its crucibles and boats. Material facts, such as the behaviour of fused quartz with hydrofluoric acid, follow our fused quartz labware guide. Last reviewed November 2026.
Which crucible do I need?
For ashing, calcination and other dry high-temperature work, choose the smallest crucible that holds your sample comfortably, and use a lid if the sample may spatter or pick up dust. Choose a flat-bottom crucible if it must stand on a flat tray or shelf, a flanged crucible if it must rest on or be held by a support, and a custom crucible when your diameter, height or rim does not match a stock size.
Start from the shape, then the size. The shape decides how the crucible sits in your furnace or on your tray. The size follows from your sample volume. If neither matches a stock listing, send us the dimensions and we will quote a custom crucible.
Standard sizes
Our standard clear quartz crucibles come in ten sizes. Click a part number to see the product page, or browse the clear quartz crucible range.
| Capacity | Part number |
|---|---|
| 5 mL | MQM320 |
| 10 mL | MQM321 |
| 20 mL | MQM322 |
| 30 mL | MQM323 |
| 50 mL | MQM324 |
| 100 mL | MQM325 |
| 150 mL | MQM326 |
| 200 mL | MQM327 |
| 250 mL | MQM328 |
| 300 mL | MQM329 |
Crucibles listed with a lid
These listings include a lid. A 150 mL low-profile version is also available.
| Capacity | Part number |
|---|---|
| 3 mL | MQQCR027 |
| 5 mL | MQQCR016 |
| 10 mL | MQQCR017 |
| 20 mL | MQQCR018 |
| 30 mL | MQQCR019 |
| 50 mL | MQQCR020 |
| 100 mL | MQQCR021 |
| 150 mL | MQQCR022 |
| 150 mL, low-profile | MQQCR015 |
| 200 mL | MQQCR023 |
| 250 mL | MQQCR024 |
| 300 mL | MQQCR025 |
Choosing the shape
Round (standard). The default shape for general ashing and calcination.
Flat-bottom. Stands steadily on a tray or furnace shelf. Stock flat-bottom sizes include Ø13 × 25 mm (1.8 mL), Ø18 × 25 mm (4 mL), Ø30 × 20 mm (10 mL), Ø23 × 60 mm (15 mL) and Ø40 × 200 mm (200 mL).
Flanged. A flange gives the crucible a rim to rest on or be held by. Stock flanged crucibles have a 26 mm or 30 mm rim diameter at 2.5 mL. See Flanged Quartz Crucible: Rim and Support Contact for how to specify the rim.
Low-profile with lid. The 150 mL low-profile crucible with lid is shallower than the standard 150 mL form.
Temperature and thermal shock
Our quartz crucibles can be used continuously up to 1,100 °C and for short periods up to 1,200 °C. Fused quartz expands very little when heated (a coefficient of 5.5 × 10⁻⁷ per °C between 20 and 320 °C), which is why it tolerates fast heating and cooling better than borosilicate glass. For more on the material, see Thermal Properties of Fused Quartz.
Short periods are not continuous use. 1,200 °C is a short-period limit. Plan routine work at or below 1,100 °C.
The HF rule
Never use quartz with hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid dissolves silica at any concentration, even dilute. No quartz vessel resists it. For HF digestions use a fluoropolymer vessel (PFA, PTFE or FEP). Our fused quartz labware guide explains the HF rule and chemical compatibility in more detail.
Quartz or alumina?
Choose quartz when you want to see the sample, need low thermal expansion or want a clean, non-ceramic vessel. If you prefer a ceramic crucible, we also supply alumina crucibles.
Ordering a custom crucible
If a stock size does not fit, send us what you have. The more of this you can give us, the faster we can quote:
- A drawing, or the outside diameter, height and, if relevant, rim or flange diameter.
- Flat or round bottom.
- Whether you need a lid, and its style.
- Any other requirements that matter for your process.
- Quantity.
Need a crucible that is not in the catalogue?
Send a drawing or the dimensions. We confirm pricing, minimum order quantity and lead time in the quotation. See the custom-size listing MQQCR026.
Full catalogue
All 39 crucible listings. Click a part number to open the product page.
FAQ
Can I use a quartz crucible with hydrofluoric acid?
No. Hydrofluoric acid dissolves silica at any concentration, even dilute. No quartz vessel resists it. For HF digestions use a fluoropolymer vessel (PFA, PTFE or FEP).
How hot can a quartz crucible go?
Up to 1,100 °C for continuous use and up to 1,200 °C for short periods.
Does the crucible come with a lid?
Crucibles listed as "with lid" include one. The lidded listings are in the table above.
Which crucible stands on a flat tray?
Choose a flat-bottom crucible. Stock flat-bottom sizes are listed under Choosing the shape.
Can you make a crucible to my drawing?
Yes. Send the drawing or the dimensions and we will quote a custom crucible. See the custom-size crucible listing MQQCR026 or use the contact page.
Related guides
Notes and honest limits
What this guide does not claim
• Purity and trace-metal levels. This guide does not state purity or impurity figures for our crucibles. If your analysis needs a specific purity or material grade, ask us before ordering.
• Wall thickness. Wall thickness is not listed here. If it matters for your process, say so when you request a quote.
• Lead time and minimum order quantity. These are confirmed in the quotation, not in this guide.
• HF resistance. Quartz dissolves in hydrofluoric acid at any concentration. Use a fluoropolymer vessel for HF work.
• Method validation. This guide helps you choose a crucible. It does not replace validation of your own method.
Ready to choose a crucible?
Browse the clear quartz crucible range or request a quote for a custom crucible.
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