[ Welding ]
[ Welding ]
Eelctron beam welding technology does not require filler material and enables unparalleled levels of accuracy and efficiency . Photo by Cambridge Vacuum Engineering
Fusion welding drastically reduces production time
An advanced electron beam ( EB ) welding technology developed by Cambridge Vacuum Engineering ( CVE ) has the potential to transform the speed at which small nuclear power stations can be built .
Text by Cambridge Vacuum Engineering
In a trial conducted by Sheffield Forgemasters , Cambridge Vacuum Engineering ’ s Ebflow technology was deployed to cut the amount of time needed to weld a small modular reactor ( SMR ) pressure vessel demonstrator from more than a year to less than 24 hours – a move that could help reshape the future of nuclear reactor production worldwide and bridge the gap in the UK ’ s energy market . As part of a Government-funded project , Sheffield Forgemasters incorporated Ebflow , operating under local vacuum , into a bespoke , large-scale EB facility at its Brightside Lane site to complete four thick nuclear-grade welds on vessels with a diameter of three meters and a wall thickness of 200mm . As well as reducing welding time by an astounding 99 %, Ebflow also delivered the superior quality and precision of welds needed to ensure SMRs operate safely – setting a new standard for weld-joining thickwalled components .
How does it work ? Ebflow is a local vacuum electron beam welding system , which can be readily transported and operated on-site and applied to structures significantly larger than those that can be accommodated in a vacuum chamber . It eliminates the need for a vacuum chamber through a local , coarse vacuum , which is established and maintained only where it is needed . The technology facilitates very high joint completion rates in thick-section metals and is 20-30 times faster than conventional submerged arc welding , achieving 200mm per minute in 150mm thick steel .
EB technology has the benefit of not requiring the use of a filler material ( which can be costly ) and retaining the base metal chemical composition leading to predictable corrosion performance and weld properties . It also benefits from low , localised welding-induced stresses , which lowers the need for a minimum ferrite content in , for example , the welding of austenitic stainless steel grades and greatly reducing levels of welding-induced distortion .
Fusion welding Ebflow is a highly advanced fusion welding process with applications across a wide range of industries , from oil and gas to nuclear power generation to shipbuilding and more . The technology utilises a focused
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