forming-manufacturing-processes > Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)
This process involves the simultaneous heating and application of uniform pressure using a gas in a controlled, sealed HIP chamber, processing high integrity and highly dense components.
Hot Isostatic Pressing can be applied to fully formed components requiring an increase in density and reduction of porosity, such as cast components.
HIP is also used to process powders (Metallic, Polymer, Composite and Ceramic) into solid forms, whether that be as part of the secondary processing of a pressed component in "green" state (not full strength) or the processing of powder in a container of the required shape. Powders may also be applied to solid components using this same mechanism of "containerisation" of the powder.
Pressure may be applied by external gas pumps, or purely by the sealing and heating of the HIP chamber. Gas is typically Argon, however other gases can be used within this process. Liquids are not used during "HIPing" due to the high process temperatures.