Shimmed electron beam welding process

摘要

A modified electron beam welding process effects welding of joints (10) between superalloy materials (12) by inserting a weldable shim (14) in the joint and heating the superalloy materials with an electron beam. The process insures a full penetration of joints with a consistent percentage of filler material and thereby improves fatigue life of the joint by three to four times as compared with the prior art. The process also allows variable shim thickness and joint fit-up gaps to provide increased flexibility for manufacturing when joining complex airfoil structures and the like. <IMAGE>