Numerical Modeling and Simulation of a Butt Joint Welding Of AISI 316L Stainless Steels Using a Pulsed Laser Beam

A three dimensional finite element model was developed using COMSOL multiphysics code for a pair of 2 mm thick AISI 316L stainless steel sheets that are butt welded by irradiating pulsed laser beam. While the exerted laser pulses at the target on the surface, the source itself moves step by step in linearly along entire weldline. The incident laser beam modeled as a rectangular pulsed Hermit-Gaussian heat source and distributed spatially at TEM00 mode. The model was computed to create meshing of the sample before and after welding. The transient thermal responses across the weld joint and along the penetration depth are predicted and results are discussed. The model predicted the Maximum/Minimum Temperature on AISI 316 L stainless steel sheets during the laser irradiation during welding.