Superalloy Castings Hot Isostatic Pressing Supplier

What HIP Achieves in Superalloy Casting

HIP restores casting quality by improving density, microstructure, and high-temperature fatigue resistance—essential for blades, vanes, combustors, and seals.

• Removes internal voids and microporosity caused during cooling in vacuum investment casting

• Increases fatigue and creep life under sustained thermal cycling

• **Supports post-HIP machining and TIG welding without deformation

• Prepares surfaces for better coating adhesion and dimensional control

HIP is typically performed before heat treatment and final CNC machining.

Superalloys Commonly Processed by HIP

All HIP cycles are customized to OEM alloy specifications and casting geometry.

Case Study: HIP of Inconel 713C Turbine Nozzle Castings

Project Background

A client submitted 240 equiaxed Inconel 713C nozzle segments for HIP. Each part was 8 mm thick with complex cooling channels. HIP was performed at 1210°C, 100 MPa for 4 hours. X-ray and SEM confirmed full porosity elimination, and parts passed ultrasonic testing and CMM dimensional inspection.

Typical HIP-Processed Components and Industries

All parts were HIPed, heat-treated, machined, and coated for service at ≥950°C.

HIP Benefits for Cast Superalloy Components

1. Eliminates >99% of porosity, improving ultrasonic inspection and high-cycle fatigue resistance

2. Prevents crack propagation by healing microvoids and closing shrinkage cavities at grain boundaries

3. Enhances dimensional stability, critical for post-HIP CNC finishing

4. Improves bond strength of downstream TBC coatings

5. Restores weld-repaired parts, enabling extended turbine component service life

HIP Processing Standards and Parameters

1. HIP temperature range: 1170–1300°C, depending on alloy composition

2. Pressure range: 100–200 MPa in argon, fully enclosed chamber

3. Cycle duration: 2–6 hours based on wall thickness and porosity levels

4. Cooling rate: ≤10°C/min to avoid residual stress and distortion

5. **Inspection: X-ray, SEM, CMM after HIP to confirm effectiveness

Results and Verification

HIP Execution

Parts were HIPed at 1210°C and 100 MPa for 4 hours. Cooling was controlled at 5°C/min to prevent overaging or cracking.

Post-HIP Processing

Blades and vanes underwent heat treatment per AMS 5662, followed by CNC machining and optional TBC coating depending on end-use application.

Inspection

X-ray inspection verified full porosity closure. CMM confirmed profile tolerances within ±0.008 mm. SEM analysis validated grain integrity and void elimination.

FAQs

1. Which superalloy grades benefit most from HIP treatment?

2. Is HIP mandatory before machining or welding turbine parts?

3. What quality standards are used to validate HIP effectiveness?

4. Can you perform HIP on single crystal, equiaxed, and welded components?

5. What is the typical turnaround time for HIP processing?