in a foundry, why does the molten metal not melt the vat in which it’s being heated?

Question

I mean, obviously the vat must be made of a metal with a higher melting point. But then how did they cast the metal to make that vat?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

they didnt. the “vat” (crucible) for tthe high temp metals is made out of ceramics or stone. You just find a rock and carve it out (or use chemically hardening ceramics)