High power electron beam welding
Electron beam welding (EBW) is a fusion process with the capacity to produce single pass high integrity welds in a wide range of materials. Known as a power beam process, EBW uses a highly focused beam of electrons as a heat source. When it strikes the workpiece the high power density causes almost instantaneous local melting and some vaporisation of the workpiece material. The electron beam is thus able to establish a 'keyhole' delivering heat deep into, or through, the material being welded. The 'keyhole' is characteristic of electron beam welding. To prevent the beam dissipating and so losing power, EBW is carried out in a vacuum chamber.
Typical EB machine powers range from 6kW machines capable of welding ~30mm thick steel to high power machines 30kW and above.
TWI has several high power, 100kW, EB machines. These enable us to offer reliable single pass welding in excess of 250mm in steel, 450mm in aluminium, and 100mm in copper. These very thick materials can be joined rapidly by high power EBW.
More detailed information is available to TWI's Industrial Members:
Development of RF guns for high power EB welding
Contact: electronbeam@twi.co.uk
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