Effect of Surface Preparation on CLAM/CLAM Hot Isostatic Pressing diffusion bonding joints

Surface preparation is essential for the Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) diffusion bonding of RAFM steels. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) diffusion bonding experiments on China Low Activation Martensitic (CLAM) steel was performed to study the effect of surface preparation. A few approaches such as hand lapping, dry-milling and grinding etc., were used to prepare the faying surfaces of the HIP joints. Different sealing techniques were used as well. The HIP parameters were 150 MPa/3 h/1150 °C. After post HIP heat treatment (PHHT), the tensile and Charpy impact tests were carried out. The results showed that hand lapping was not suitable to prepare the faying surfaces of HIP diffusion bonding specimens although the surface roughness by hand lapping was very low.