About Sinter-HIP'ing

Sinter-HIP'ing refers to the sintering and Hot Isostatic Pressing of sinterable materials all in one operation.

For powder metals, such as cemented carbide, hot isostatic pressing is very desirable since the powder compact can be further compacted or "squeezed" equally in all directions. This allows a high and uniform density to be achieved. Furthermore, since this pressing is done ‘hot’ or at high-temperatures, internal flaws or voids can be eliminated in the furnace operation.

Utilizing advanced vacuum technology HIP furnaces, such as those employed by General Carbide, sintering followed by Hot Isotatic Pressing (HIP’ing) in the same vessel is achieved. The vessel is evacuated, raised to sintering temperature, and then, at a predetermined stage, high-pressure argon is introduced. This process is called Sinter-HIP or Pressure Assisted Sintering (PAS).

Because General Carbide can HIP at sintering temperatures (Sinter-HIP'ing), constraints such as green strength and complex geometry can be removed, resulting in the ability to Sinter-HIP any part we manufacture.

Sinter-HIP'ing allows for the best quality final part and should be performed anytime when the integrity of the material is a prime consideration.