Process and apparatus for thermally joining articles of silicate material

摘要

Process for thermally joining components made from silicate materials and silicate composite materials comprises heating the components (B) to be joined in a region around their joining site (S) to a pre-heating temperature below its softening point; and adding additional heat energy to the components at the joining site to heat the components to a joining temperature which lies at or above the temperature of each softening point. An Independent claim is also included for a device for thermally joining components made from silicate materials and silicate composite materials comprising a first heater for heating the components (B) to be joined in a region around their joining site (S) to a pre-heating temperature below its softening point; and a second heater for adding additional heat energy to the components at the joining site to heat the components to a joining temperature which lies at or above the temperature of each softening point. Preferred Features: Additional energy is applied using a laser beam (L) which moves back and forth along the joining site.