Hot isostatic pressing technology (general)

Background context for the rejuvenation method. 20,000 psi argon, 2,000°F, eight to ten hours; closes internal pores without deforming part shape. Discussed as a process before the Grafton vessel failure case anchors §5.

There is something called hot isostatic pressing, developed in the 50s and used more and more extensively since. You can take a casting — for example, Harley-Davidson aluminum cylinder heads for their engines, which are a critical component. Why are they critical? You're sitting right on top of it; it blows up, okay. You take a pressure vessel — this could be a pretty good-sized pressure vessel — it has end caps that are just screwed in, so it's a big cylinder.