TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 751/2002
B G I Dance
Background
The electron beam (EB) is a unique tool for materials processing, since its interaction with matter is markedly and fundamentally different from any other commercially available heat or energy source. In addition, being a charged particle beam, the scope for control and manipulation of the electron beam with precision and speed is unparalleled.
Some reasonably familiar uses of EB technology include cathode ray tubes and other VDUs, X-ray sets, as well as EB welding and drilling equipment. The last two are reliant upon a high power density EB to penetrate and produce a keyhole in the substrate material. Welding relies upon the controlled re-distribution of the material from the keyhole within the original material thickness. Drilling relies upon its expulsion from the keyhole. Electron beam texturing could be said to rely upon its controlled displacement and re-deposition on the substrate surface.
This work is intended to broaden the understanding and applicability of electron beam texturing (EBT), as well as touch upon some of the other less well explored aspects of EB treatment and processing. It describes the activities carried out in this project in limited detail.
Objectives
- Develop and demonstrate the range of EB textures possible in a range of different metallic and non-metallic substrates.
- Determine the process features, equipment characteristics and other conditions that promote the formation of particular types of EB texture.