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Hot isostatic pressing, HIP

Isostatic pressing of the metal powder by the supply of high-temperature pressurized gas to create a green body.

Beskrivning
Illustration of Hot isostatic pressing, HIP

The process

An elastic container [1] is filled with metal powder and placed in a pressure chamber [2]. The container can also be fitted with cores to create more complex shapes.

A heated gas [3] with a temperature of 800-1500 ° C is pumped into the chamber, creating an evenly distributed pressure along the entire elastic container surface. Thanks to the supplied pressure, metal powder particles will be pressed together and mechanically bonded to each other which creates a solid green body. The liquid is removed and the flexible container is allowed to expand and regain its original form, the component can then be removed from the system. 

The currently existing green body is porous and lacks the metallurgical bonds required to obtain the correct mechanical properties. To obtain the desired strength it must be sintered. 

To further enhance and customize the component to the desired end form, common secondary operations such as restamping, Carburization, infiltration, impregnation, surface compression are done. The component may also undergo repeated sintering to increase its density.

Often done along with conventional processing methods such as milling, turning and grinding.

Advantages and disadvantages
In comparison with alternative methods
Freedom of design
Less subsequent welding operations are required due to the complex shapes that can be created
Saves material
isotropic mechanical properties
Better inspect ability with ultrasound
Good surface finish
Suitable for metals with low porosity
A more expensive method
Low fracture toughness
Suitable components having a lot of wider tolerance requirements
Generally only applicable to smaller production runs