Hiperbaric, a manufacturer of high-pressure technology, will install a Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) equipment at Plus Metal, a prominent company focused on manufacturing components for the aerospace industry. The system, a Hiperbaric HIP 93 model, is one of the largest in Hiperbaric’s portfolio and is slated for installation at Plus Metal’s headquarters in Taiwan.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) is an advanced material consolidation process that simultaneously applies high pressure (up to 2,000 bar / 29,000 psi) and elevated temperatures (up to 2,000 °C) in an isostatic environment. This process effectively eliminates internal porosity and enhances the structural integrity of metallic and ceramic components.
This technology is critical for sectors such as aerospace, enabling the production of parts with superior mechanical properties, increased resistance to fatigue and thermal stress, and the structural reliability essential for extreme operating conditions. HIP technology allows for the manufacturing of complex geometries with fewer internal defects and improved surface finishes, benefiting both powder metallurgy and Additive Manufacturing (AM) produced parts.
In this context, Taiwanese company Plus Metal is strategically investing in HIP technology to bolster its capabilities in the manufacturing of high-value-added components for the aerospace sector. “HIP technology ensures our company a robust position within the global landscape of advanced material applications, further solidifying Taiwan’s crucial role in the international aerospace supply chain,” stated Lin Zanshengm, Chairman of Plus Metal.
Andrés Hernando, CEO of Hiperbaric, emphasized Hiperbaric’s 25 years of innovation and expertise in high-pressure technology, including water-based high-pressure equipment up to 6,000 bar (87,000 psi). “This extensive experience has enabled Hiperbaric to develop modern HIP equipment with enhanced performance and reduced operational costs,” he added.
Its coiled vessel technology not only has advantages from a safety and reliability point of view, such as increased service life or the “leak before break” design that avoids catastrophic failures, but also provides advantages from a thermodynamic point of view. Being a coiled vessel, the cooling channels can be placed very close to the vessel wall and therefore very close to the hot zone, allowing the vessel to act as a heat exchanger, enabling fast cooling (Fast Cooling technology) inside the equipment.
Aerospace Sector, Additive Manufacturing, and Hot Isostatic Pressing Technology
HIP technology significantly enhances the strength and durability of critical materials used in the aerospace industry, such as nickel-based superalloys (Inconel), titanium alloys (Ti64, TiAl), and cobalt-chromium alloys (CoCr). The process ensures that the material achieves 100% of its theoretical density, substantially improving the mechanical properties and lifespan of the components.
Furthermore, HIP technology is increasingly combined with Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, to increase the strength and toughness of 3D-printed parts by eliminating internal porosity. This synergy allows aerospace 3D-printed components to meet the stringent strength standards of traditionally forged parts. This competitive advantage is highly valuable for manufacturers in the aviation market.
