Many types of welding are used in manufacturing. Some—like gas metal arc, laser and ultrasonic—are quite well-known, while others are less popular but a perfect fit for a specific application.
Electron-beam welding (EBW) falls into the latter category. It is a fusion welding process in which a beam of high-velocity electrons is applied to two materials to be joined. The workpieces melt and flow together as the kinetic energy of the electrons is transformed into heat upon impact. EBW is often performed under vacuum conditions to prevent beam dissipation.