What is Isostatic Pressing?

Isostatic pressing is a powder metallurgy (PM) forming process that applies equal pressure in all directions on a powder compact thus achieving maximum uniformity of density and microstructure without the geometrical limitations of uniaxial pressing.

Isostatic pressing is performed "cold" or "hot." Cold isostatic pressing (CIP) is used to compact green parts at ambient temperatures, while hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is used to fully consolidate parts at elevated temperatures by solid-state diffusion. HIP can also be used to eliminate residual porosity from a sintered PM part.