EB FUSION provides a unique Electron Beam welding service to industry Australia-wide.

The Electron Beam Welding System

The Electron Beam welding system is composed of an electron beam gun, a power supply, control system, work piece motion equipment, and vacuum-welding chamber. Fusion of base metals eliminates the need for filler metals. The vacuum requirement for operation of the electron beam equipment eliminates the need for shielding gases and fluxes. The electron beam gun has a tungsten filament, which is heated, freeing electrons. The electrons are accelerated from the source with high-voltage potential between a cathode and anode. The stream of electrons then passes through a hole in the anode. The beam is directed by magnetic forces of focusing and deflecting coils. This beam is directed out of the gun column and strikes the workpiece.

The potential energy of the electrons is transferred to heat upon impact of the workpiece and cuts a perfect hole at the weld joint. Molten metal fills in behind the beam, creating a deep, finished weld. The electron beam stream and workpiece are manipulated by means of precise, computer-driven controls, within a vacuum welding chamber, therefore eliminating oxidation or contamination.

The system at EB FUSION can be configured to produce circular or rotary orientated weld paths, utilising a CNC(Computer Controlled) rotary axis drive

Electron Beam Welding Configurations

Material Welding Guidlines for Electron Beam Welding

Material Result
Aluminum
  • Some grades are weldable - Call to discuss.
Cast Iron
  • Some grades are weldable - Call to discuss.
Copper
  • Weldable, but problematic - Call to discuss.
Cobalt
  • Weldable.
Gold
  • Weldable
Case-hardening & Nitriding alloys
  • In most cases, these alloys can be EB welded prior to heat treatment. Or after heat-treatment provided the hardened surface material of the weld region is machined-off.
Inconel
  • Weldable
Kovar
  • Welds well if not plated. Nickel and Gold plating causes cracks
Monel
  • Weldable
Molybdenum
  • Not suitable
Nickel
  • Weldable
Platinum & Platinum alloys
  • Weldable
Silver
  • Weldable
Stainless steel
  • Some grades are weldable - Call to discuss.
Steel
  • Low carbon (< 0.17% Carbon): Weldable - However, free-machining are not suitable
  • Medium carbon (Up to 0.5% Carbon): Problematic - Call to discuss
  • High carbon (> 0.8% Carbon): Not suitable
Tantalum
  • Weldable
Titanium
  • Some grades are weldable - Call to discuss.
Tool steels
  • Some (< 0.2% C) are suitable for EB welding.
Tungsten
  • Weldable, but problematic - Call to discuss.
Zinc Alloys
  • Not suitable

Note: Sulphur and phosphorus content can be problematic - Their presence should be as low as possible.

Weldability of dissimilar materials

Although a single material may be quite suitable for EB welding, it may not be appropriate for welding to another material type. Each material has its own unique thermal properties such as; melting temperature, rates of conductivity and expansion. Also, it's critical that each material's metallurgical properties are reciprocally compatible.

Only some material combinations are successful. Consult with EB FUSION first, should your application require the welding of dissimilar materials.