Study on Smoothing of Hole Wall Surface by Electron Beam Polishing under Control of Magnetic Field

A surface finishing method by large-area electron beam (EB) irradiation called EB polishing has been developed recently. Highly efficient surface smoothing of mold steels with planar shape can be performed by the EB polishing. However, it is difficult to smooth wall and bottom surfaces in hole shape by the EB polishing, since the EB tends to concentrate on entrance edge or upper inside wall of hole, and the energy density of EB on the wall and bottom surface of hole may decrease. Our previous study showed that the bottom surface could be smoothed by EB polishing under control of magnetic field around the workpiece. It is highly expected that EB can be also guided to the whole area of hole wall surface under appropriate control of magnetic field there. In this study, smoothing of hole wall surface by EB polishing under control of magnetic field around the workpiece was proposed. As a basic study for smoothing of hole wall surface, L-shaped workpiece was prepared by combining two stainless steel plates, and magnet was set under the workpiece. The electromagnetic field analysis results suggested that EB could be guided to the whole area of side surface by setting magnet under appropriate setting position, since magnetic force lines are uniformly distributed on whole area of side surface. In addition, magnetic flux destiny on the side surface more increases by setting a yoke made of steel on the magnet. The experimental results show that smoothed area with the surface roughness of less than 1.5μmRz can be obtained on the whole area of side surface. Therefore, the whole area of side surface can be uniformly smoothed by guiding the EB to the side surface under appropriate control of magnetic field.