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Beam-processing:new applications for clever tools.SOLUTIONS with Effective, Powerful Advice
Beam-processing includes different applications using the already known high energy density beams utilized for successful welding, cutting or drilling. See In this page, a few different uses of the powerful beams are reviewed, for Beam-processing metals without melting. When suitable equipment is available, such processing may have specific advantages if compared to traditional means for accomplishing equivalent operations. Among other suitable processes, surface Heat Treating stands out as quite important, because it can be performed with this kind of equipment in a neat, clean, precise and economic way. This process can provide a hard case on selected spots, without heating the whole part. It should be remembered that both the electron-beam and the laser beam can be manipulated, so that defocusing or rastering, rapid succession of parallel beam lines can be painted on the part, rapidly heating different areas in the proper sequence.
The EB vacuum environment is ideal for avoiding surface attack. When using laser beam it is not difficult to provide a local envelope of protective atmosphere. High carbon steels, tool steels and martensitic stainless steels are quickly heated locally to the required transformation temperature, while the metal mass provides instant self quenching for developing the required martensitic hard structure. Tempering can be performed in place with lower current heating or, if preferable, as an additional separated process with regular equipment. Also stress relieving or Post Weld Heat Treatment can be performed after beam welding where required, by applying limited heating to those surfaces. Another form of Beam-processing is available for inducing residual tensile stresses in selected portions of the parts, for providing a more favorable stress distribution. A disc spinning under a definite area of rastered beams collects heat, at lower than melting temperature, concentrated in a zone limited by an external and an internal circumference. Heated material tends to expand but is restrained by the cooler material surrounding it. It yields upon expansion. After cooling, this ring is under residual tensile stresses, (but the whole disc results prestressed in compression) likely to improve the performance of the disc in service. In practice this application would leave a residual stress pattern similar to that left by a specific welding sequence depositing weld beads of definite shape and mass. Prestressing discs along their circumference may improve their resistance to shattering, if they are subjected to centrifugal forces in service. The abstract of an article on Local application of heat induces residual stresses that, if properly planned, can help straightening thermally warped parts. Surface modification can be obtained by Beam-processing surfaces, covered with suitable materials in powder form, as the powder is locally fused and embedded in the base metal. The EB vacuum though may disturb and remove the powder before it melts. Therefore low vacuum EB or laser beam applications may be preferred in these circumstances. Deep penetration brazing is a specialized application of Beam-processing, mentioned in a paper at http://eagar.mit.edu/EagarPapers/Eagar134.pdf Beam-processing is also widely applied for obtaining curing or definite properties improvements, in non metals or plastic parts, in solid state. An Article introducing Additive Manufacturing and Resources was published (8) in Issue 146 of Practical Welding Letter for October 2015. An Article on ENHANCED DIAMOND-LIKE COATINGS BOOST FUEL EFFICIENCY (A new laser arc method is being used to apply a hard carbon coating to engine components on the production line)
An Article on Laser Surface Patterning Pre-Treatment was published (11) in Issue 151 of Practical Welding Letter for March 2016.
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