CIP-FAST: assessing the production of complex geometry titanium components from powders by combining Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) and Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST)

ABSTRACT

A novel, two-step, solid-state method to produce complex geometry titanium parts was investigated by combining Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) with Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST). Hydride-dehydride powders of commercially pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V were CIP’ed into shaped compacts using silicone moulds, then further consolidated using FAST, with ZrO₂ powder as a secondary pressing media. The final parts retained the complex features from the CIP moulds but were compressed in the pressing axis. Densities >99% were achieved, with optimised FAST processing parameters required for the different alloys. High hardness and fine equiaxed microstructures were observed at the edges of the parts, suggesting oxygen transfer from the ZrO₂ pressing media had occurred, with more investigation needed to better understand and prevent this. Despite this, the CIP-FAST process route has been demonstrated to be a fast, low-cost and material-efficient option to produce a wide variety of complex titanium parts.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Field-assisted sintering technology
• spark plasma sintering
• cold isostatic pressing
• titanium
• solid-state processing
• microstructural evolution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through grants EP/P006566/1: ‘MAPP: EPSRC Future Manufacturing Hub in Manufacture using Advanced Powder Processes’ and EP/R00661X/1 for the FAST/SPS capability as part of the Henry Royce Institute.