Non-vacuum electron beam welding and cutting of cupper

Abstract

Due to its physical properties, like high thermal and electrical conductivity copper is an indispensable material in many branches of industries. However the welding and cutting of copper and its alloys is challenging due to this properties and tendency to absorb gases resulting some defects like porosity or hot cracking. To prevent these, different requirements concerning the welding process have to be fulfilled. One requirement is the use of a highly concentrated heat input. The electron beam in atmosphere (NVEBW)is a suitable tool, which meets this requirement. This publication presents the advantages of NVEBW welding and cutting of copper. The experimental results of low-voltage (NVEBW) of copper will be shown and discussed too. The first portion studied the effects of varying power, travel speed and work distance on mechanical and electrical properties and structure of weldment at 175 kV accelerating voltage. The second portion studied the possibility of application of low-voltage 60kV NVEBW for welding of copper and influence of impurities in the copper on the welding parameters. The third portion studied the process of NVEB cutting of copper using the suction created by a local vacuum underneath the work piece. Experimental results of cutting with extremely high cutting speeds such as15m/min for 1.5 mm thick and 9m/min for 6mm thick copper will be representing.