Electron Beam Welding


Electron Beam Welding (EBW) is a fusion joining process that produces a weld by impinging a beam of high energy electrons to heat the weld joint.


Electrons are elementary atomic particles characterized by a negative charge and an extremely small mass.  Raising electrons to a high energy state by accelerating them to roughly 30 to 70 percent of the speed of light provides the energy to heat the weld. 

An EBW gun functions similarly to a TV picture tube.  The major difference is that a TV picture tube continuously scans the surface of a luminescent screen using a low intensity electron beam to produce a picture.  An EBW gun uses a high intensity electron beam to target a weld joint.  The weld joint converts the electron beam to the heat input required to make a fusion weld.

The electron beam is always generated in a high vacuum.  The use of specially designed orifices separating a series of chambers at various levels of vacuum permits welding in medium and nonvacuum conditions.  Although, high vacuum welding will provide maximum purity and high depth to width ratio welds.

EBW Benefits
 Single pass welding of thick joints
 Hermetic seals of components retaining a vacuum
 Low distortion
 Low contamination in vacuum
 Weld zone is narrow
 Heat affected zone is narrow
 Dissimilar metal welds of some metals
 Uses no filler metal

EBW Limitations
 High equipment cost
 Work chamber size constraints
 Time delay when welding in vacuum
 High weld preparation costs
 X-rays produced during welding
 Rapid solidification rates can cause cracking in some materials

Common EBW Concerns
We can help optimize your welding process variables.  Evaluate your current welding parameters and techniques.  Help eliminate common welding problems and discontinuities such as those listed below:

EBW Problems and Discontinuities
 Undercutting
 Porosity
 Cracking
 Underfill
 Lack of fusion
  Shrinkage voids
  Missed joints

Source: Welding Engineer

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