Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an elongated weld seam in a workpiece by the use of a beam of charged particles, in particular an electron beam. According to the disclosed method, a beam of charged particles is directed to impinge on a workpiece and has a selected beam current, a selected accelerating voltage and is focused by a focusing field of a selected field strength. In order to produce a weld seam there is provided a relative motion between the charged particle beam and the workpiece, to move the point of impingement along the workpiece. The relative motion has a predetermined selected instantaneous velocity. The depth of penetration of the charged particle beam into the workpiece is varied by changing a parameter selected from the group consisting of the beam current and the velocity of relative motion.

Abstract: An account is given of a welding pool support device for energy beam welding, with a metal structure, which on a beam outlet side of a welding seam zone of a workpiece system is put against the beam outlet side and being in contact with it by a number of touching points for stopping any movement of melt out of the welding zone, which is achieved by the energy beam in the workpiece system, by a relative movement of the energy beam and the workpiece system, the former going along the weld seam zone. A supporting structure, which is able to be so changed in shape that it takes into account uneven parts of the beam outlet side of the workpiece system in the long direction and also in the cross-direction of the weld seam zone.

Abstract: A deep penetration weld join is produced in an energy beam welding method where the energy beam, as for example, an electron beam, is directed into the join to produce a welding zone containing molten material, and moved along the join relative to the parts of the work. Additional material is introduced into the welding zone to fill a gap and/or to influence the metallurgical composition of the weld zone. By introducing the material into the melt at an acute angle to the beam axis and at a point spaced alongside the beam axis, the additive material penetrates deeply into the molten material. The additive material may be preheated prior to its introduction to the welding zone.