ELECTRON BEAM WELDING OF STAINLESS STEELS.

When welding stainless steel of the 18/8/1 type by the electron beam process, increasing the ambient pressure from the normally used 10** minus **3 Pa to 1 Pa (10** minus **5 torr to 10** minus **2 torr) does not produce any appreciable effect on mechanical properties, microstructure or weld profile. The inhibiting effect of softer vacua on the production of metal vapor and its deposition on gun parts was not definitely established. There was a notable improvement in the operating time of the gun.