Welding reinforcement between silica glass and stainless steel using nanosecond fiber laser with chromium interlayer

Modern manufacturing industries need high strength and stable joint between glass and steel. Laser welding is an efficient technique to meet the requirement, but strength still needs to be improved. In this work, a welding reinforcement method of Cr addition was proposed to improve shear strength. The two materials were added with Cr metal film and Cr3+ solution in the interface, and welded by an nanosecond fiber laser. A maximum shear strength of 41.4 MPa was obtained, 40 % higher than that without Cr addition. The surface morphology and elemental distribution of the welds were observed. With Cr addition, the elemental diffusion in the interface was extended. Fe-O-Si and Cr-Si bonds were greatly increased in the welds. And microcracks were significantly reduced. In addition, the Cr layer also reduced the adverse effects caused by the different thermal expansion, making it more reliable in various industrial production fields.