The furnace construction department of PLANSEE Metall GmbH manufactured a cylinder for the world’s largest hot isostatic press (HIP) for Sweden’s Avure Technologies. The cylinder is made entirely of a doped molybdenum material, which enables the furnace of this press to operate at temperatures of 2462°F (1350°C) and a pressure of 1,180 bar. The cylinder measures approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) long and more than 2.2 meters (7.2 feet) in diameter. It required about 40,000 rivets to assemble. The HIP press is scheduled to start operation in Japan by 2010.

Manufacturing the cylinder required the full range of PLANSEE’s capabilities, including laser and water-jet cutting, tooling, hot working, joining and flame spraying. PLANSEE was able to handle and control the entire manufacturing process, from the powder to the finished molybdenum cylinder.