EFFECT OF BEAM CURRENT, WELD SPEED AND DISSOLUTION ON MECHNICAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES IN ELECTRON BEAM WELDING

Abstract

Electron beam welding has proved phenomenal in welding of components used in space because it uses a vacuum environment which eliminates substances like oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The main advantage of EBW is its ability to weld dissimilar materials and incorporate desirable properties in the assembly. It has high depth to width ratio and focuses exactly on the portion to be welded, thereby reducing the weld area, making it one of the most suitable welding processes. In this study, welding has been done on a circular heterogeneous component using an electron beam welding machine to determine the effect of beam current, speed of weld and dissolution on the bead geometry, hardness at the weld bead and the heat affected zone. This component is made up of AISI 304(Austenitic) and AISI 446 (Ferrite) stainless steel, both of which are widely used in space applications.