Process Overview

Hot press furnaces are used worldwide for vacuum hot pressing, diffusion bonding, thermal forging, and powder densification. These furnaces range in size from 4” mini 5-ton presses for Research and Development (R&D) to production systems with working areas over 12 feet across and more than 2000 tons of hydraulic pressing force. Using graphite or refractory metal hot zones, hot presses operate at temperatures up to 2400°C, and welded chambers allow for high vacuum performance to the 10⁻⁶ torr range. Hot press furnaces can also utilize multiple hydraulic cylinders for larger pressing applications or to accommodate pressing applications with high and low range force control in a single furnace.

Applications

• Vacuum Hot-Pressing
• Diffusion Bonding
• Ceramic Processing
• Metal Processing
• Powder Densification
• Powder Metal Forming
• Thermal Forging
• Super Plastic Forming
• Refractory Metal Forming
• Thermal Sizing