“Mega-HIP” Installation in Belgium to Expand Nadcap Capacity

The world’s largest provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services announced that its hot isostatic pressing location in Belgium will take delivery of a new “Mega-HIP” unit which will be Nadcap capable to meet the demand of the European aerospace market over the next five years and beyond.

Bodycote expects the new high pressure, high-temperature Mega-HIP installed at their facility in Sint Niklaas, Belgium, to be operational by the end of 2018, meeting the growing demand of the European aerospace market over the next five years and beyond. This investment will increase Bodycote’s Nadcap HIP capacity globally.

Bodycote operates the world’s largest HIP equipment network with over 50 HIP vessels of varying sizes in multiple locations, providing its services and Powdermet® technologies for clients in medical, power generation, marine, nuclear, automotive, and electronics industries. The recently launched Powdermet® technologies incorporate patent-pending techniques that combine 3D printing with well-established net shape and near net shape (NNS) techniques. This hybrid technology reduces the manufacturing time and production cost of a part compared to producing the same part using 3D printing alone.

Processing capability can accommodate components which are nominally up to 2m diameter by 3.5 m high, and weighing 0.1kg to over 30,000kg. In addition to standard quality and environmental accreditations, Bodycote’s HIP facilities also hold ASTM and NORSOK accreditations.