Fabrication of special materials by isostatic hot pressing

This report discusses a novel method of isostatic hot pressing. The principle of densification is explained. Following a literature review of previous work in this innovative field of powder metallurgy, the Karlsruhe facility — the first of its kind in the Federal Republic of Germany — is described. The technique for proper sample preparation for this process is illustrated through the production of rod-shaped solid and tubular samples. As an example, the production of a cermet from the uranium dioxide-molybdenum system is described. An interesting side effect of isostatic hot pressing is the warm welding of the pressed body with the casing tube. Potential application areas for the new method include the production of fuel rods for fast breeder reactors, cathodes and collectors for thermionic emitters, temperature-resistant metal-containing ceramics, special ceramics, and systems with metal-ceramic diffusion transitions. In the field of tools made from high-speed steel or carbide with high service life, this processing technology is gaining ground.