39 – Thin Foils

The welding of titanium, such as B. thick rings and a 100 µm foil using electron beam welding is challenging due to the unique properties of titanium and the requirements for precision and process control.

Titanium is a reactive metal and actively reacts with oxygen, resulting in the formation of intermetallic phases that deteriorate the mechanical properties of the weld. To prevent contamination of titanium parts, welding must be performed in a deep vacuum environment, which is the natural environment for an electron beam.

Titanium has high thermal conductivity, which makes it difficult to limit the heat affected zone during welding. Improper heat distribution can lead to deformation of the parts being welded, which is particularly critical for parts with high precision requirements. The parameters of the electron beam (power, focusing current and welding speed) must be carefully controlled to avoid overheating and thermal damage to the material. This is particularly critical when working with thin films, where overheating can cause burns and deformation. FOCUS electron beam welders are among the best and most precise in the world in terms of accuracy in controlling heat input and its localization.