Electron beam melting (EBM) process is a clean environment process where the heat required for vacuum melting and refinement of reactive, refractory and special metals/alloys is obtained from the impingement of high energy intense electron beam on the target surface. The major sub-systems of an EBM Machine consist of EB Gun Column, process chamber, crucible assembly, vacuum system, cooling water system, power supply and controls. Electrons generated by thermionic emission are accelerated and focused with the help of electric and magnetic fields in high vacuum to the metals/alloys placed in the crucible assembly. The technology and knowhow of a 15 kV, 10 kW EBM Machine developed at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is available for transfer to industry. Indigenous manufactured machines costing nearly a third of the imported machines and could prove a cost-effective solution to help the domestic industry and research institutions working in the field of new material and alloy development studies.
Electrons generated by thermionic emission in the EB gun are accelerated and focused with the help of electric and magnetic fields in high vacuum. The focused beam is directed towards the crucible assembly to melt and consolidate metals and alloys in the form of button mould or finger mould by controlling the accelerating voltage, beam current, focusing coil current, oscillation and deflection current. The major advantage of EB Melting is that the melting and refinement is carried out in vacuum environment and therefore most suitable for melting and refining of reactive and refractory metals and alloys.
Advantages:
- Most suitable for melting and refining of reactive and refractory metals and alloys.
- Contamination free melting due to vacuum environment.
- Very cost effective for EB assisted Additive manufacturing.
Areas of applicaion:
- EB Melting can be used for the development of new materials and alloys. It is suitable for melting refractory, reactive and specials metals/alloys such as Tungsten (W), Tantalum (Ta), Niobium (Nb), Titanium (Ti), Zirconium (Zr), Nb-Ti etc. under high vacuum environment and prepare buttons (up to 50 gm) and fingers (up to 150 gm) for metallurgical and mechanical studies.
- EB Melting machine can also be used for the scrap consolidation of precious and strategic materials.
- EB Melting gun can also be used as a heat source for testing of components which are subjected to high heat flux in applications like ADSS (Accelerator Driven sub critical Reactor system) and ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor).
Salient features
- 10 kW Electron beam Gun.
- Tungsten cathode for longer operating hours.
- Quick cathode replacement.
- Automated Beam Deflection and Oscillation control.
- Ease of operation due to inherent design safety features.
- Button moulds (Φ25 mm x 17mmThk), Finger Mould (25 mm x 25 mm x 40mm).
Facilities required
- Floor Space required for integration and testing.
- Good and precision mechanical fabrication facility.
- Electrical test and measurement equipment such as Multimeters, Clamp on Meters, Oscilloscope, Megger.
- Utilities like compressed air, cooling water and electrical power.
For further details, contact:
Head, Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Trombay, Mumbai 400 085. technology@barc.gov.in
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