Electron beam welding: process and industrial applications

Electron beam welding (EBW), the most powerful fusion welding process to date, has been developed for many years and is increasingly implemented in various industrial sectors. The wide range of applications or this technique is due to the special features of the process, which most other alternative fusion welding processes cannot offer. In this paper, the principles of the process, and its advantages and limitalions are described. Comparisons with other fusion welding processes are also made in order to illustrate the special characteristics of the EBW. Established and potential industrial applications are outlined. Although the work performed so far has demonstrated EBW to be an established process For many industrial applications, R&D efforts are still needed to further explore its full potential. As new progress is continually achieved. EBW will become a viable technique for more demanding industrial applications in the future.