Abstract
Electron beam welding of sub-mm thin maraging steel sheets (Gr 350) onto thick plates is conducted using a 60 kV electron beam unit. The welded bead, heat affected zone and the parent material are then subjected to metallurgical investigations. The variation in the geometry of the bead with the processing parameters is studied and the two are related using simple mathematical relationships. Micro-hardness measurements reveal a sharp change of mechanical properties across the heat affected zone. Mechanical strength of the weld in different directions is related to e=the weld geometry and the processing parameters. A criteria of a sound weld is established.