Posted by PeterH on June 16, 2006 at 22:37:19 from 86.130.129.15 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Pommies and ceramic science posted by John Nichols on June 16, 2006 at 22:00:15:
It was a ceramic pot in PP was it not?
Yes, the crucible would have been made of heavy-duty stoneware, thicker and fired at a slightly higher temperature than ornamental stoneware. There will be difficulty in obtaining the spec for this - the modern spec may be available, but you need to use the figures for industrial ceramics made in the 1920s (Capn Flint had evidently had the crucible for some time).
The question of why the crucible failed in Dick's 'furnace' has been touched on before on Tarboard. If I recall correctly, it was thought that there would have been unevenness in temperature from one side to the other, and also the crucible was not supported properly. Perhaps someone can be more accurate?