HOT ISOSTATIC PRESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A hot isostatic pressing method is provided which can shorten the cycle time in the hot isostatic pressing apparatus, and a hot isostatic pressing apparatus used in the hot isostatic pressing method. A hot isostatic pressing method comprises the steps of: accommodating a workpiece in an inner part of a high pressure container; filling the inner part of the high pressure container with gas and maintaining a high temperature and a high pressure in the high pressure container for a predetermined time to treat the workpiece; and cooling the workpiece after the high temperature, high pressure treatment, wherein the cooling step includes the step of supplying liquefied gas into the high pressure container. The gas is an inert gas. The gas and the liquefied gas are the same substance. The cooling step includes a first step of cooling the workpiece without supplying the liquefied gas into the high pressure container and a second step of cooling the workpiece while supplying the liquefied gas into the high pressure container after the first step.