Production Applications of Electron Beam Welding

Abstract

A brief description of the electron-beam-welding process will be presented including the basic principles involved in this new joining technique. The unique and outstanding characteristics and capabilities of electron beam welding will be described showing how these can be used to advantage in practical, industrial fabrication. A detailed description of a variety of specific production applications will be given. The examples will be chosen to show the wide versatility and flexibility of the process. They will include existing parts which can be fabricated more economically or better with electron beam welding; parts designed specifically to take advantage of the characteristics of electron beam welding; and parts scrapped because of defects or design changes, which were recovered by electron beam welding. The techniques used, the equipment and tooling required, and the production rates and costs will be described.