Crucible
In
chemistry, a
crucible is a kind of laboratory apparatus that is usually a cup, made of porcelain or an inert metal, used to heat chemical compounds to very high temperatures. One of the earliest uses of
platinum was as a material in crucibles, and metals such as
nickel and
zirconium are used as crucible materials these days.
Reference:
See also:
The Crucible (play) and
Crucible Theatre.