Innovative Isostatic Processing Technologies for Defence and other Strategic Applications

Powder Metallurgy (P/M) involving Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) techniques is the best suited processing route for manufacture of critical components from ceramics and highly complex metallic materials. The CIP followed by sintering route was adopted for the development of fused silica radomes for application in high-speed target seeking missiles. On the other hand, the HIP, a single-step processing technique has been used for the development of First-Wall (FW) of Test Blanket Modules (TBMs) from India Specific Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic (INRAFM) steel. The FW is an important component required for International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) application.The details of innovative processes which have been established to overcome the specific technical challenges for the development of CIP and HIP technologies for manufacture of silica radomes and INRAFM steel first-wall respectively for intended applications are highlighted in this paper.