hot isostatic pressing (hip)
about hot isostatic pressing
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is a proven process with several uses. It can heat-treat parts, consolidate powders, densify materials, and create diffusion bonds. HIP is used for castings, sintered materials, ceramic parts, and other high-performance parts. Although the process has been available for decades, manufacturers continue to find new applications for it.
Aalberts has decades of thermal processing experience. Our Greenville, South Carolina, facility has two QIH 122 M URC presses located side by side.
- optimize your supply chain we offer multiple post-processing steps under one roof
- risk management two HIP units side by side creates redundancy to protect our customers if the unexpected happens
- quick turns average lead time is less than 7 days and on-time delivery is greater than 98%
- strong quality management systems to meet customers’ specific requirements, increase satisfaction, and exceed expectations
- unique HIP cycles customized to your materials and includes heat treatment and controlled cooling
- clean parts brand new, hybrid High Pressure Heat Treat HIP technology delivers cleaner parts
- competitive pricing straight-forward pricing without added fees and upcharges
the HIP process
HIP applies heat and high pressure to a material at the same time. The process removes internal porosity and can achieve 100% theoretical density. This can improve the reliability and performance of the finished part.
Applying heat and pressure at the same time can remove internal voids and other defects. These include porosity in cast parts and lack-of-fusion defects in additively manufactured parts.
HIP works with many materials, including metals, ceramics, and plastics. It can process alloys made from titanium, steel, aluminum, copper, and magnesium. HIP can improve fatigue resistance, creep resistance, ductility, and workability. These benefits make it useful for parts in mission-critical applications. For additively manufactured parts, HIP removes porosity and creates a more uniform microstructure.
Non-destructive testing often shows excellent results in HIP-treated parts. In powder metallurgy, HIP can also produce materials from metal compositions that are difficult or impossible to forge or cast.
proven benefits of HIP and heat treating:
- Superior material properties
- Reduction in scatter of mechanical properties
- Improved machine + polish surface appearance
- Low weight design
- Lower production cost
HIP and high pressure heat treatment (HPHT) capabilities
Both of our HIP units are equipped with a proprietary Uniform Rapid Cooling (URC) feature. URC combines solution and age in a single process. High Pressure Heat Treat (HPHT) streamlines the steps involved in material densification and heat treatment. This innovative approach enables all processed components to cool uniformly in a controlled environment, resulting in minimal thermal distortion and non-uniform grain growth.
- max pressure: 30,000 psi
- max temperature: 2,282 F/1,250C
- max cooling rate: up to 390 F per minute
- gas chromatograph
- load capacity 24.5” dia x 66”h
- uniform rapid cooling
hot isostatic pressing – a process for all industries
The HIP process is ideal for a wide range of solutions in a wide range of industries:
- aerospace & defense
- oil & gas
- medical
- automotive
- nuclear
- sputtering targets
- space
have a HIP question?
If you are looking to improve material properties of your parts designed for mission-critical applications, Aalberts surface technologies has the post-processing solutions you need.
Our team has the skill and expertise to solve even your most complex thermal processing challenge. Ask us a question or request a quote and let’s get started together by providing faster lead times and cleaner parts – all at a competitive price.
frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a HIP service provider?
Look for a HIP service provider with technical expertise, strong quality systems, suitable equipment capacity, and experience with your material and application. The provider should offer customized HIP cycles, controlled cooling, reliable turnaround times, and equipment redundancy. Additional heat treatment and post-processing services can also simplify your supply chain.
How does hot isostatic pressing work?
Hot isostatic pressing places components inside a high-temperature furnace within a pressure vessel. The parts are heated while uniformly pressurized with argon gas. The combined heat and pressure close internal voids and porosity, creating a denser, more uniform material structure with improved mechanical properties.
Is hot isostatic pressing suitable for additive manufactured metal parts?
Yes. Hot isostatic pressing is well suited for additively manufactured metal parts. HIP uses high temperature and uniform pressure to close internal porosity and lack-of-fusion defects. The process creates a denser, more uniform microstructure that can improve fatigue resistance, ductility, and overall part reliability.
Is hot isostatic pressing worth the added cost?
Hot isostatic pressing can be worth the added cost for high-performance or mission-critical parts where internal defects, reliability, and material consistency are important. HIP can reduce porosity, improve mechanical properties, and lower the risk of part rejection or failure. Its value depends on the material, application, production requirements, and cost of failure.
What information should I provide when requesting a HIP quote?
When requesting a HIP quote, provide the material or alloy, part dimensions and weight, quantity, manufacturing method, and required delivery date. Include drawings, applicable specifications, quality or certification requirements, and the desired material properties. Also note any required HIP cycle, controlled cooling, heat treatment, testing, or post-processing services.
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