EB Welding of gas turbine engines

Electron beam welding for fabrication and repair of gas turbine engines

Electron beam welding (EBW) is widely used in the fabrication and repair of gas turbines. The technique produces very low distortion, low heat input and a high integrity weld. Welding is carried out in a single pass and usually there are no filler additions; the closely butting joint faces are fused together by the beam.

A very wide range of materials can be EB welded, and dissimilar joints produced. This is often used for the manufacture of drums where high temperature materials are used in the combustion section of the engine.

Features:

  • low distortion
  • high quality weld
  • dissimilar joints
  • used for patches, blade replacement and platform welds
Requirements for EB machines
  • Intense beam to produce a narrow, parallel-sided weld
  • Long distance working - beams may need to be projected up to 3m across stators for welding from inside out
  • These type of machines operate at up to 30kW power
TWI has a range of EBW equipment. Investigations can be carried out for Industrial Members on either sample test pieces or full size prototypes.

EB welded gas turbine compressor section drum,(Courtesy of igm Robotersysteme AG Steigerwald Strahltechnik)

EB welded gas turbine compressor section drum

(Courtesy of igm Robotersysteme AG Steigerwald Strahltechnik)


For further information, please contact: power@twi.co.uk

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