In order to melt basalt into glass, one needs a crucible. However, many metals can only withstand temperatures up to 600°C without oxidizing and disintegrating. Our crucible has to be heated to about 1250°C to melt the lunar basalt simulant.
Luckily, Cooksongold agreed to 3D-printed our crucible out of PtRh20 (80% platinum, 20% rhodium), to be used in our experiment. This expensive alloy can withstand up to 1885°C before melting and doesn't corrode.