Market trends and cost of HIP processing
Thomas Knutsson, Avure Technologies, Sweden

This paper will begin with an overview of current HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) applications. In terms of the numbers of individual HIP units employed, defect healing in castings is the leading application, but, in terms of tonnage of HIP products, PM steels in various forms lead the way. Other market niches, such as HIP cladding of wear parts, manufacture of sputtering targets and production of high performance metal matrix composites and ceramics, will be described.

Trends in the further development of HIP systems will then be outlined, in relation to increases in vessel sizes, reductions in process cycle times, improvements in process control and reliability, reductions in cost of operation and reductions in environmental impacts.