Numerical investigation of transport phenomena in the fusion zone of laser beam welded joints

The development of a steady-state process model for a numerical study of transport phenomena in the fusion zone of deep penetration laser beam welded joints is described. Based on the conservation equations of energy, momentum, and mass in dimensionless form, the three-dimensional modeling considers viscous, buoyancy, and friction forces as well as surface tension gradients. The developed simulation program enables the prediction of the local temperature and velocity distribution in the molten material. Consequently, the resultant weld pool dimensions dependent on the characteristic dimensionless groups can be derived.