Crucible tongs
{{Short description|Scissor-like tool used for grasping hot objects in a laboratory}}
Crucible tongs are scissors-like tools with a pair of attached arms that curve outward near the ends to form a rounded gripping area that allows users to safely grasp crucibles, flasks, evaporating dishes, or small beakers.{{Cite web|title = lab equipment crucible tongs: text, images, music, video {{!}} Glogster EDU - 21st century multimedia tool for educators, teachers and students|url = http://chem0222.edu.glogster.com/lab-equipment-crucible-tongs|website = chem0222.edu.glogster.com|access-date = 2016-02-12|first = Glogster|last = Team}} They are made of durable metals—stainless steel, brass, or nickel, for example—that can withstand high temperatures.{{Cite web|title = Laboratory Equipment > Non-Glassware (1 of3)|url = http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/nonglass.html|website = www.mreisley.com|access-date = 2016-02-12|url-status=dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305130637/http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/nonglass.html|archivedate = 2016-03-05|df = }}
Use
Crucible tongs are used most often with crucibles, small ceramic or metal vessels used to heat chemicals to temperatures up to 565.56 degree Celsius.{{Cite web|title = Crucibles for Apparatus & Lab Application Use|url = http://www.hometrainingtools.com/chemistry/glassware-plasticware/crucibles|website = www.hometrainingtools.com|access-date = 2016-02-12}}
As a crucible will be very hot when heating it in a furnace or a Bunsen burner, one cannot hold the crucible directly. Therefore, crucible tongs come to play a key role when burning, or doing anything with hot objects. Moreover, some of them also have a special characteristic. For instance, a locking version of crucible tongs can be locked with the edge of a crucible, allow users to be more comfortable and more confidence while moving a very hot crucible from place to place. Hence, they provide more safety for the users.{{Cite web|title = What Are Crucible Tongs?|url = http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-crucible-tongs.htm|website = wiseGEEK|access-date = 2016-02-12}}
Safety
It is necessary to wear safety goggles, gloves, and proper shoes when using crucible tongs. The scorching objects in a crucible might be spilled off and cause damage to the holder's skin. Since crucible tongs work with the crucible, one must know the safety procedures of the crucible.
- Before using the crucible, make sure that it is dry
- Fill the crucible with sample chemicals to only 1/2 or 2/3, do not fill until it is full
- If the user used the crucible to fuse the glass, waiting for the crucible to cool down before cleaning it
- Squeezing the crucible or use some metal sticks to break the cooling glass out of the crucible
- Wash it until it is clean enough{{Cite web|url=https://www.esci.umn.edu/people/researchers/withe012/lab/crucibles.htm|title=Cleaning Crucibles|website=www.esci.umn.edu|access-date=2016-03-10}}
Additional images
File:Crucible_Tongs Drawing.JPG
File:Crucible Tongs.JPG|Crucible Tongs with Crucible
File:Tongs3.JPG