TTT Group invests in Hot Isostatic Pressing: new HIP division with Hiperbaric for aerospace and metal AM
TTT Group, a Basque company specializing in heat and surface treatments, has announced the largest investment in its history: a new division dedicated to Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) with the installation of the Hiperbaric HIP 107. The new TTT HIP operating unit will become operational in 2027 and represents a strategic expansion into the post-processing of critical components for aerospace, energy, and metal additive manufacturing.
The investment brings to the Basque Country an industrial densification capacity that is particularly relevant for the additive manufacturing sector. Metal 3D-printed parts intended for critical applications in fact require HIP treatments to ensure relative density, fatigue behavior, and reliability that cannot be obtained directly from the printer.
A strategic investment to integrate the entire value chain
TTT Group aims to consolidate heat treatments, surface engineering, and HIP densification under one roof, offering an integrated solution for high-performance components.
The company has been operating for over 65 years in heat treatments, coatings, and surface machining. It already serves the aerospace, automotive, energy, and other high-tech industries.
The new TTT HIP division will make it possible to integrate the hot isostatic pressing process with existing services. These include quenching, tempering, vacuum treatments, nitriding, carburizing, shot peening, HVOF, hard chrome, and laboratory activities.
- Aerospace
- Defence
- Oil & Gas
- Energy
- Biomedical
- Science Industry
The Hiperbaric HIP 107: platform features
The system chosen by TTT is one of the largest models in the Hiperbaric range, a Spanish company specializing in high-pressure technologies.
The Hiperbaric HIP 107 is a large-scale industrial platform. It is compatible with critical alloys such as Ti6Al4V and IN718, materials widely used in aerospace and metal additive manufacturing.
The system integrates Fast Cooling technology, which makes it possible to optimize thermal cycles and reduce process times. This feature is particularly relevant for high-volume industrial applications.
Timeline and qualification: operational start-up in 2027
TTT Group's announcement does not communicate a service already available, but a project under development that will require months of preparation before operational start-up.
The new TTT HIP unit is expected to become operational in 2027. Over the coming months, installation, commissioning, and qualification of the equipment will need to be completed.
For the aerospace and energy sectors, the physical availability of the machine is only the first step. Each material-process combination must be associated with specifications, qualified cycles, inspections, and, when necessary, OEM approvals.
TTT starts from an established position: it already has aerospace quality systems and Nadcap accreditations for some processes, facilitating the integration of the new HIP service into its existing portfolio.
Relevance for metal additive manufacturing
HIP post-processing is essential for 3D-printed components intended for critical applications, where residual porosity can compromise mechanical performance.
Densification via hot isostatic pressing eliminates internal porosity in metal parts. This significantly improves mechanical properties, particularly fatigue strength and toughness.
For the additive manufacturing sector, the presence of industrial HIP capacity in the Basque area represents an opportunity to consolidate the supply chain. TTT Group has already collaborated with CEIT, a local technology center, on HIP-related projects for aerospace applications.
The integration of heat treatments, HIP, and quality controls (including computed tomography) under a single supplier can simplify supply chain management for manufacturers of critical components.
Prospects for the European industry
TTT’s investment is part of a context of growing attention toward the localization of post-processing capabilities for high-performance components.
The availability of HIP services qualified for aerospace in Europe is strategic for reducing dependence on non-European suppliers. The choice of Hiperbaric, a Spanish company, also strengthens the local technology supply chain.
The completion of the project in 2027 will allow TTT Group to position itself as an integrated supplier for the entire value chain, from additive manufacturing to the certified finished component.
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
When will the new TTT HIP division become operational?
The new TTT HIP unit is scheduled to start operations in 2027. Installation, commissioning, and qualifications must be completed before startup.
Which machinery did TTT Group select for the HIP process?
TTT Group installed the Hiperbaric HIP 107, one of the largest models in the Spanish company's range. The system integrates Fast Cooling technology to optimize thermal cycles.
For which industrial sectors is this new division strategic?
Priority markets include aerospace and space, defence, oil & gas, energy, biomedical, and science industries. The investment aims to serve critical components for these supply chains.
Which materials can be treated with the new platform?
The Hiperbaric HIP 107 is compatible with critical alloys widely used in aerospace and metal additive manufacturing. These include Ti6Al4V and IN718.
Which existing services will the new HIP division integrate?
The division will integrate with heat treatments, coatings, and surface processing already offered by TTT Group. These include quenching, nitriding, shot peening, and laboratory activities.
