Isostatic pressing is a method of forming metals (or ceramics) that uses pressure equally from a fluid (i.e., gas or liquid) to compress metal (or ceramic) powders from all directions simultaneously to form a dense solid shape. Isostatic pressing results in a component that has the same density everywhere and has minimal internal stresses.

Key Features:

• Uniform Pressurization: The fluid being used to provide pressure applies equally in all directional planes or axes. This is a significant advantage over uniaxial pressing.
• High-Density Parts: High-density (with uniform density; fewer voids; improved mechanical properties) parts also result.

There are two forms of isostatic pressing:

1. Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP): Carried out at room temperature with hydraulic fluid.
2. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP): Carried out at elevated temperature and pressure with an inert gas, allowing for diffusion and densification.

Isostatic pressing is an important manufacturing process in powder metallurgy, ceramics, aerospace, automotive, and medical technologies, as it is one solution to provide a complex-shaped, high-strength component, like turbine blades, cutting tools, and prosthetic devices. It also allows for shaping things that cannot be shaped by traditional means of shaping by mechanical machining and also takes advantage of material waste. Isostatic pressing is an important manufacturing process to combine high precision of shape with high structural integrity for critical components where performance and reliability are paramount.