influence of steel frames on ceramic crucibles properties

Ceramic crucibles were made of irefcast h that is alumina-silica based. these crucibles were slip casted with the steel frames in cylindrical shape. samples were all casted, dried and sintered in a same way to obtain samples with size, shape and same amount of water. samples were taken in a number of cycles(heating-chilling) to experience a close situation as work. results indicated that adding steel frames to the crucibles not only delays the cracks initiation but also prevent these cracks propagation. increasing the steel frames thickness doesn’t always lead to the same result. in fact, in an optimum thickness the crucibles acquired the best properties.