US heat treatment specialist Paulo has reportedly added hot isostatic pressing to its thermal processing services by acquiring a hot isostatic press (HIP) from Quintus Technologies.
The model QIH 122 M URC press, is equipped with uniform rapid cooling (URC), a feature that can improve material properties in additive manufacturing (AM) and investment casting, Quintus says.
‘We see the market for HIP expanding, with a large part attributed to additive manufacturing,’ said Scott Herzing, Paulo vice president. ‘The ability to combine HIP and heat treatment will allow us to offer one-stop-shop thermal processing solutions, with faster turnaround times.’
The HIP will be installed in Paulo’s recently expanded Cleveland division, in Willoughby, OH, USA, which provides brazing and precise vacuum heat treatment. The press features a work zone of 26.0 inches (660 mm) in diameter and 68.9 inches (1,750 mm) in height. It operates at a maximum temperature of 2,552°F (1,400°C) and maximum pressure of 30,000 psi (2,070 bar).
The URC feature can combine heat treatment and cooling in a single process, known as high pressure heat treatment (HPHT). This makes it easier for all processed components to cool uniformly, minimizing thermal distortion and nonuniform grain growth.
Paulo and Quintus Technologies have also entered into a marketing agreement.
This story is adapted from material from Quintus, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
