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Crucible has been consolidating P/M near net shape parts by Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) since the mid-1970's. Crucible also offers its HIP services to the investment casting industry on a contract basis to fully densify and upgrade critical components made from castings.
The HIP process applies heat and pressure within an enclosed vessel to consolidate or densify materials such as castings. Heat is introduced via molybdenum resistance elements and pressure is supplied by high pressure pumps forcing argon, an inert gas, into the vessel. As the heat softens the castings, the gas pressure exerts a force equally on all surfaces, causing the porous casting to compress to full density. Crucibles HIP vessel is one of the world's largest with a maximum work zone of 52 inches (1.3 m) in diameter by 120 inches (3 m) in height. Molybdenum resistance furnaces are used to provide HIP temperatures ranging from 900°F (480°C) for aluminum alloys to 2250°F (1230°C) for tool steel alloys. Gas pressures up to 15,000 psi (103 MPa) are available.
The Proccess:
Gas purity is essential to the quality of the HIP process. Crucible uses high purity argon with continuous monitoring by an in-line gas chromatograph. In most cases, special tooling designed by Crucible enhances the cleanliness of the atmoshpere around the castings being processed.
View the HIP data sheet in PDF format
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