Electron Beam Welding

Electron Beam Welding (EBW) is a fusion welding in which coalescence is produced by heating the workpiece due to impingement of the concentrated electron beam of high kinetic energy on the workpiece. As the electron beam impinges the workpiece, kinetic energy of the electron beams converts into thermal energy resulting in melting and even evaporation of the work material.

Principles:
In general, electron beam welding process is carried out in vacuum. In this process, electrons are emitted from the heated filament called electrode. These electrons are accelerated by applying high potential difference (30 kV to 175 kV) between cathode and anode. The higher the potential difference, the higher would be the acceleration of the electrons. The electrons get the speed in the range of 50,000 to 200,000 km/s. The electron beam is focused by means of electromagnetic lenses. When this high kinetic energy electron beam strikes on the workpiece, high heat is generated on the work piece resulting in melting of the work material. Molten metal fills into the gap between parts to be joined and subsequently it gets solidified and forms the weld joint.

EBW Equipment:
An EBW set up consists of the following major equipment:
a) Electron gun,
b) Power supply,
c) Vacuum Chamber, and
d) Work piece handling device.

Electron-Gun: An electron gun generates, accelerates and aligns the electron beam in required direction and spots onto the workpiece.
Emitter/Filament: It generates the electrons on direct or indirect heating.

Anode: It is a positively charged element near cathode, across which the high voltage is applied to accelerate the electrons. The potential difference for high voltage equipment ranges from 70- 150 kV and for low voltage equipment from 15-30 kV. Grid cup: Grid cup is a part of triode type electron gun. A negative voltage with respect to cathode is applied to the grid. The grid controls the beam.

Focusing unit: It has two parts: Electron focusing lens and deflection coil. Electron focusing lens focuses the beam into work area. The focusing of the electrons can be carried out by deflection of beams. The electromagnetic lens contains a coil encased in iron. As the electrons enter into the magnetic field, the electron beam path is rotated and refracted into a convergent beam. The extent of spread of the beam can be controlled by controlling the amount of DC voltage applied across the deflection plates.

Electron gun power supply: It consists of mainly the high voltage DC power supply source, emitter power supply source, electromagnetic lens and deflection coil source. In the high voltage DC power supply source the required load varies within 3-100 kW. It provides power supply for acceleration of the electrons. The potential difference for high voltage equipment ranges from 70-150 kV and for low voltage equipment 15-30 kV. The current level ranges from 50-1000 mA. In emitter power supply, AC or DC current is required to heat the filament for emission of electrons. However DC current is preferred as it affects the direction of the beam. The amount of current depends upon the diameter and type of the filament. The current and voltage varies from 25-70 A and 5-30 V respectively. The power to the electromagnetic lens and deflection coil is supplied through a solid state device.

Vacuum Chamber: In the vacuum chamber pressure is reduced by the vacuum pump. It consists of a roughing mechanical pump and a diffusion pump. The pressure ranges from 100 kPa for open atmosphere to 0.13-13 Pa for partial vacuum and 0.13-133 mPa for hard vacuum.As the extent of vacuum increases, the scattering of the electrons in the beam increases. It causes the increase in penetration.

Work Piece Handling Device: Quality and precision of the weld profile depends upon the accuracy of the movement of work piece. There is also provision for the movement of the work piece to control the welding speed. The movements of the work piece are easily adaptable to computer numerical control.