Electron Beam Probing to Assure Process and Product Integrity

It is well known that different electron beam machines can provide contrasting welding and processing performance. In critical applications, such as partial penetration aerospace engine or control component welding, process procedures and parameters are developed to eliminate defect occurrences, normally without an underlying appreciation of the actual beam characteristics and their impact. An improved knowledge of these beam qualities is required to assure quality, enable the transfer of welding or processing from one machine to another, and to ensure day-to-day control of production.

This paper will detail TWI’s recent development of an integrated beam probing and analysis tool to measure electron beams. This equipment has been applied in the laboratory and also with industrial EB welding machines generating data relating to production welds. Beam quality data and can be referenced to each weld; this can be used as a diagnostic tool by the operator/quality professional, and gives the opportunity for informed decision making without the need for extensive EB process knowledge, post-weld NDE or destructive testing.