The Simulation of Laser Beam Welding of Silica Elements

The laser beam welding of silica represents an innovative alternative to traditional oxyacetylene welding. The application of this technology allows an economic bonding of silica components, which raises the standards of joint qualities to a new level. In a research project, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar analyzes the CO2-laser beam welding of silica elements numerically and experimentally in co-operation with different industry partners. The development of a ready to market and effective procedure of the laser beam welding of silica is the mayor goal of the project, under use of experimental results and utilisation of highly modern numerical calculation models. Thereby, an extensive pool of experience can be accessed in the field of welding process simulation of metals. In co-operation with the Institute of Joining Technology and Materials Testing gGmbH, experimental weldings with different laser adjustments and silica plate thicknesses were carried out. The numerical simulation uses a three-dimensional model, which also includes physical nonlinearity. Therefore, the specialised FEM software SYSWELD is used.