Zirconium’s distinctive properties make it a popular choice for fusions and fluxes in analytical chemistry and chemical processing. Unlike crucibles made from many other materials, zirconium crucibles are highly resistant to corrosion; do not require handling with platinum tipped tongs; can be cleaned with most common agents (except hydrofluoric acid); suffer little to no attack or oxidation; are resistant to melts of alkali carbonates, hydroxides, peroxides, borates, nitrate chlorides and some fluorides; and can virtually eliminate the problem of sample contamination.