Electron-beam (EB) welding involves the joining of two metals, typically with no additional filler metal, by using a focused electron beam in a clean vacuum environment.
Process benefits include:
- Consistency – Most parameters of the weld are automated to ensure consistency batch to batch, and the entire assembly is processed in a vacuum environment.
- Low distortion – The focused beam produces a weld ~1mm in size, with key-hole penetration profile into the material, thereby melting only the local joint area and minimising stress.
- Versatility – The localised heating means that welding can take place on assemblies which include sensitive materials such as ceramics and polymers.
Successful weldment design depends upon:
- Joint geometry
- Planning for weld tooling
- Requirements for post-weld inspection e.g. radiography
Please contact the experienced staff at STG at the earliest stage of design to get the best end results.
STG develop novel welded solutions for fusion challenges, but also supply components to imaging, beam-line, and aerospace customers.
EB welded components made by STG are currently on the surface of the duck-shaped comet 67P, several million miles from Earth, having landed as part of the Rosetta mission. STG continue to provide bespoke components for many similar demanding applications.
