OPERATION OF AN ISOSTATIC HOT PRESS WITH A RAPID COOLING SYSTEM

The parameters that influence the specific costs of the hot isostatic pressing process, which is used primarily for powder metallurgy applications as a variant of the sintering process, are discussed first. Besides the importance of the capacity of the plant, the important influence of the cycle time is pointed out. A significant shortening is achieved by a rapid cooling mechanism. Depending on the shape of the workpiece, diagrams are obtained that make it possible to determine the quantity of heat which is emitted to the working gas during the cooling phase. Finally, a numerical simulation of the rapid cooling mechanism illustrates the temperature expansion in the wall of the pressure vessel.