Electron beam welding (EBW) is a fusion welding process that uses a beam of high velocity electrons to produce a high integrity weld. A concentrated beam of high energy electrons impinges upon the surfaces of the materials to be welded and produces an enormous amount of heat, which melts and joins the two materials.

The electron beam generated under high vacuum conditions passes through a series of specially-designed orifices and chambers to offer welds with the maximum purity required, and greater depth-to-width ratios.

As the EBW process takes place in a vacuum, the welds are clean and free of oxides. Narrow, deeper penetration from .001 to 2 inches, with high depth-to-width ratio eliminates multiple-pass welds completely. Besides the ability to weld thick material to thin material, electron beam welding also allows joining of dissimilar metals, i.e. those with different melting points and thermal conductivities. Some combinations which are un-weldable by other processes are thus readily electron beam welded

Bi-metal saw blades and transmission assemblies are produced in large numbers by electron beam welding. Aerospace components in titanium and nickel based super alloys are typically fabricated by electron beam welding. Again, low distortion means intricate components can be accurately joined. Due to the clean vacuum welding environment, there is no risk of oxygen pick-up and consequent weld embrittlement when electron beam welding these titanium alloys.

Bodycote has been providing premium electron beam welding services for 30 years and provide off-site support where needed. Contact us for more details.