Method of fabricating protective coating for a crucible with the coating having channels formed therein

A method of fabricating a protective coating for a crucible where the coating has channels formed therein, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an open-ended crucible made from a first material having a melting temperature, said crucible further having an outer wall;
• adhering a tape to said outer wall of said crucible to form a pattern thereon, said tape having at least one free end extending from said outer wall, said tape having a temperature of transformation that is less than said melting temperature of said first material;
• coating said outer wall with said tape adhered thereto with a second material wherein said at least one free end of said tape extends through said second material to define at least one port in said second material, said second material having a melting temperature that is greater than said temperature of transformation of said tape;
• heating said crucible with said tape adhered thereto and said second material coated thereon to said temperature of transformation, wherein said tape is transformed to a fluidic state;
• and
• removing said tape in said fluidic state via said at least one port in said second material.

A method of fabricating a protective coating for a crucible where the coating has channels formed therein, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a crucible made from a first material, said crucible having an outer wall;
• adhering a second material to said outer wall of said crucible to form a pattern thereon, said second material being different than said first material;
• coating said outer wall with said second material adhered thereto with a third material to substantially cover said second material wherein at least one portion of said second material extends through said third material to define at least one port in said third material, said third material being different than said first material and said second material;
• transforming said second material adhered to said crucible to a fluidic state;
• and
• removing said second material in said fluidic state via said at least one port in said third material.