Alba Instrumentation have been servicing Bodycote’s Panametrics Moisture analysers for nearly 2 years now, the combination of Dew point, PPMV and oxygen measurement is used to ensure the quality of the gas being used within the Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), is a manufacturing process used to reduce the porosity of metals and influence the density of many ceramic materials. This improves the material's mechanical properties and workability.
The HIP process subjects a component to both elevated temperature and isostatic gas pressure in a high pressure containment vessel. The pressurizing gas most widely used is argon. An inert gas is used, so that the material does not chemically react. The chamber is heated, causing the pressure inside the vessel to increase. Many systems use associated gas pumping to achieve the necessary pressure level. Pressure is applied to the material from all directions (hence the term "isostatic").
For processing castings, the inert gas is applied between 7,350 psi (50.7 MPa) and 45,000 psi (310 MPa), with 15,000 psi (100 MPa) being most common. Process soak temperatures range from 900 °F (482 °C) for aluminum castings to 2,400 °F (1,320 °C) for nickel-based super alloys. When castings are treated with HIP, the simultaneous application of heat and pressure eliminates internal voids and micro porosity through a combination of plastic deformation, creep, and diffusion bonding. Primary applications are the reduction of micro shrinkage, the consolidation of powder metals, ceramic composites and metal cladding. Hot isostatic pressing is also used as part of a sintering (powder metallurgy) process and for fabrication of metal matrix composites.
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The probes are Calibrated every 6 months to NPL standards to ensure they comply with both Bodycotes’ internal quality standards and those of their Aerospace customers NADCAP standards etc. Further information on these and other NADCAP standards can be found at http://www.pri-network.org/Nadcap/