What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive Manufacturing (AM), more commonly known as 3D printing, encompasses several processes used to create three-dimensional objects, where layers of material are formed one after another to create an object.

Using Additive Manufacturing makes it possible to build very complex geometries whilst reducing material waste material and reducing overall weight of components. Components produced using AM often have imperfections and defects, so HIP is used ensure density and mechanical properties.

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) has been used successfully by suppliers to all manner of industries for many years. HIP is used to eliminate pores and remove defects to dramatically improve material properties such as fatigue resistance, ductility and impact toughness, whilst minimising initiation sites leading to critical failure.

With typical pressures from 400 to 2,070 bar (5,800 to 30,000 psi) and temperatures up to 2,000°C (3,632°F), HIP can achieve 100% of maximum theoretical density and improve the ductility and fatigue resistance of critical, high-performance parts. Regardless of the printing process chosen, HIP ensures the industrial robustness of the process and can shorten processing time significantly.