Material selection
August 28, 2026
How to choose the right crucible material for your alloy
Alumina, chrome alumina, zirconia or magnesia: how alloy, temperature and process decide the right crucible.
British-made since 1976
Low scrap, guaranteed
Crucibles to 1,000 kg
The original isostatic press house
The original British crucible manufacturer. 50 years of the cleanest melts.
Isostatically pressed and vibro cast crucibles, zirconia atomising nozzles and backing mixes for investment casting, precious metal refining and powder metallurgy.
Isostatically pressed crucibles
Explore the flagship range
Trusted by foundries, refiners and manufacturers worldwide
- ROLLS-ROYCE
- Ferrocast
- Argent & Co.
- MELTWORKS
- Alloya
- Precimet
Why foundries, refiners and manufacturers choose Magna
Since 1976 we have made one thing exceptionally well: the isostatically pressed and vibro cast crucibles, zirconia nozzles and backing mixes that keep molten metal clean, from first melt to final pour.
The original, since 1976.
Fifty years of refining the isostatically pressed crucible means one that behaves predictably, melt after melt.
Engineered for clean metal.
Dense, high-purity refractories mean fewer inclusions in the melt, cleaner castings and low scrap rates we guarantee.
British-made, with technical backing.
Manufactured in Britain under ISO 9001, with our technical team alongside you from first specification to delivery, so the right crucible arrives first time.
Crucibles, atomising nozzles and backing mixes
Crucibles
Crucibles in five materials, isostatically pressed to 370 kg, with alumina also vibro cast to 1,000 kg.
Zirconia Atomising Nozzles
Nozzles for metal powder atomisation, made to the same density and purity standards as our crucibles.
Backing Mixes
Magnesia (MIPEX) and zirconia backing mixes formulated to pair with our crucibles for a complete furnace lining.
The measurable difference
Every crucible we make is individually inspected before it leaves the works — the same standard we have held for fifty years.
100%
Individually inspected
50 years
Manufacturing refractories in Britain
1,000 kg
Largest crucible capacity
Founded in 1976. Refining the melt ever since.
Explore Our StoryMid 1960s
The isostatically pressed crucible is developed
Rolls-Royce approach the company Bryan Harris works for to develop a crucible for casting aerofoil blades. Bryan and his team of material scientists produce the first isostatically pressed crucibles.
1976
Magna Industrials founded in Leicestershire
Bryan and Paul Harris start the company to supply isostatically pressed crucibles to investment casting foundries and precious metal refineries.
1983
Incorporated as Magna Industrials Limited
The company formally incorporates as the business grows.
What our customers say
James Whitfield
Foundry Manager, Rolls-Royce
“The difference shows up where it matters: cleaner melts, fewer rejects, castings we can stand behind. Batch after batch they behave exactly the same — and that consistency is worth more to us than any spec sheet.”
Works Manager
Investment casting foundry
“Lead times we can actually plan around, and a technical team that picks up the phone. When we changed alloy they had the right crucible specified before we had finished the email.”
Melt Shop Supervisor
Precious metal refiner
“Low scrap is the headline, but it is the repeatability we rely on. Every batch behaves the same, so our process stays in control from melt to pour.”
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Insights from the works
View all insights
Material selection
Material selection
August 28, 2026
What causes inclusions in the melt, and how to reduce them
Where casting inclusions come from, and how a dense, non-wetting crucible keeps the metal clean.
Process
August 28, 2026
Isostatic pressing vs vibro casting: which process suits your melt
How the two forming routes differ, and when each is the right choice for your capacity and material.
Questions we are asked before an order
If the answer you need is not here, our technical team will work it through with you.
It depends on the metal, the melt temperature and the furnace. We make crucibles in alumina, zirconia, magnesia and chrome alumina, and our technical team will match one to your process before you place an order.
Specify the right crucible for your application
Send the alloy, volume and process you're working with, and our technical team will specify the right crucible.
- Reply from a technical specialist within one working day
- Drawings and specifications welcome
- No obligation