HIPping (Hot Isostatic Pressing)

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPping) is the simultaneous application of controlled heat and high pressure to an investment casting using specialized chambers. The service helps improve a casting material’s mechanical properties and eliminate enclosed sub-surface voids such as porosity and microshrinkage that may be associated with the investment casting process.

Porosity and other minor defects are usually detected during the non-destructive testing stage of the investment casting process. If it is determined that the defects will affect the performance of the investment cast part in a specific application, methods such as HIPping can be used to improve the overall mechanical structure.

Engineered Precision Casting Co., Inc. employs industry leaders to perform this specialized process on highly critical applications.

Benefits of Hot Isostatic Pressing for Aerospace Investment Castings 

The HIPping process can improve the internal structure of an investment casting to ensure a more metallurgically sound casting. Further, the HIP process may allow for less complex gating systems, resulting in less expensive castings, even after the cost of HIPping.

A common example of where HIPping is beneficial is aerospace components that must be completely free of minor voids or porosity that could cause the investment casting to fail in high pressure applications. Depending on the type of investment casting and its intended application, HIPping can be an excellent and cost-saving alternative to having parts re-cast.

The hot isostatic pressing process can be used for both ferrous and non-ferrous investment casting alloys, though it is most commonly performed on steel investment castings. While not necessary for all investment cast parts, HIPping is often required by industries such as aerospace and automotive where parts must be able to withstand extremely high pressure.

Hot Isostatic Pressing provides many benefits for investment castings including:

• Improved mechanical properties including impact strength, ductility and tensile strength
• Removal of internal porosity
• Improved reliability and product longevity

Learn More About Hot Isostatic Pressing for Investment Castings

Engineered Precision Casting Co., Inc. provides HIPping and other secondary services to provide complete investment casting solutions.