Earlier this year "The Monty Heat Treat News" reported an explosion of a "Hipping" furnace (an abbreviation for hot isostatic pressing) at a commercial heat treater in Canby, Oregon, USA-the story can be found at "Massive "HIP" Explosion at USA Commercial Heat Treater".

While this incident happened back in early February of this year, details and conclusions remain very vague. We know that the two furnaces at this location use argon gas under extreme heat and high pressure (up to 30,000 PSI) to process aerospace and medical components. We also know that the explosion occurred in the furnace and was directed upward by the pit it was installed in, which blew the roof off the building.

We also have learned that while the general cause was a failure of the pressure vessel, the specific reason for that failure—such as equipment fatigue or a procedural error—remains under official investigation.

It is also unclear at this point who originally manufactured the furnace.

Interestingly enough news reports say that the second furnace was eventually stabilized by submerging it in water for 16 hours to cool.

"The Monty" will keep you updated as this investigation continues.

For more information on "Hipping" accidents we would suggest this more in-depth article from "The Monty Heat Treat News" "Are Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) Accidents Common"?