MODERN THERMAL ELECTRON BEAM PROCESSES – RESEARCH RESULTS AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

Thermal electron beam (EB) technologies are becoming more and more attractive especiallybecause they are ecologically friendly and energy saving on the one hand and highly precise, excellentlycontrollable and highly productive on the other hand.Using three-dimensional energy transfer fields, the interaction conditions between the EB and the surfaceof the material, the conditions of the heat conduction in the material, the geometry of the part, and the loadconditions of the component can be taken into account. High flexibility, precision, and reproducibility aretypical characteristics of EB technologies and facilities. High productivity is achieved by new technologicalsolutions like simultaneous interaction of the EB in several processing areas (spots) or by carrying out severalprocesses simultaneously in modern EB facilities and systems (such as multi-chamber, lock-type and otherconcepts). The influence of beam parameters and energy transfer conditions on the microstructure of thematerials and its properties will be discussed for different EB technologies. Information on ideal treatmentconditions will be given. The paper deals with the current development state regarding beam deflectiontechniques, technological processes and some facility concepts, and with the state of industrial application