High-efficiency finishing process for metal mold by large-area electron beam irradiation

A new finishing process for metal molds by large-area electron beam (EB) irradiation is proposed in this study. In the large-area EB irradiation equipment used here, an EB with high-energy density is irradiated without focusing the beam, and so the EB with a maximum diameter of 60mm can be used for melting or evaporating metal surface instantly. Experimental results show that the surface roughness decreases from 6 mu mRz to less than 1 mu mRz in just a few minutes under proper machining conditions. The corrosion resistance of metal mold surface also could be greatly improved by large-area EB irradiation. Furthermore, the surface roughness of tilting surface close to 90 degrees could be well improved. Therefore, large-area EB irradiation method has a possibility to become a high-efficiency finishing process for metal molds. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.