Abstract: As in the case of the irradiation of plane materials, the production of an inert atmosphere for the radiation-curable coating plays a decisive role with regard to the operating costs and the quality of the resulting product in the case of the curing of shaped parts. The present invention shows that the production of an inert atmosphere with the aid of a vacuum/inert gas lock with subsequent feeding through the lock into a radiation chamber constitutes an inexpensive means of producing an inert atmosphere for shaped parts, since flushing of the radiation chamber 8 to 10 times before each irradiation operation, as was necessary in the past, is dispensed with.

Abstract: An electron beam source with an electron exit window which is connected thereto and which essentially consists of the window frame, of a support grid, optionally provided with cooling lines, for the foil permeable to electrons and of the foil permeable to electrons. The grid is formed by one or more bridge elements each in the shape of a double comb formed by milling slots to extend inwardly from each of a pair of opposite side edges of a substantially rectangular metal plate to terminate at a main bridge element extending substantially centrally of the plate and substantially parallel to the opposite edges. The bridge elements are secured to the window frame solely by disengageable mechanical fastening elements, and no welding or brazing, either in forming the bridge elements or in securing them to the window frame, are involved.