Finite element analysis of temperature distribution using ABAQUS for a laser-based tile grout sealing process

A finite element (FE) model has been developed utilizing the commercial ABAQUS package to determine the temperature distribution generated during the high-power diode laser (HPDL) processing of a novel ceramic tile grout seal, known as an amalgamated oxide compound grout (AOCG). The model was developed specifically to find the temperatures reached at the base of the ceramic tile grout seal, since temperatures in excess of 100 degrees C must be attained so as to ensure certain chemical changes (the complete irreversibility of the water-glass reaction required by the process). Fourier's law and Laplace's equation were employed to build the temperature field equations under appropriate boundary conditions in two-dimensional coordinates, while the ABAQUS FE model was used to calculate the temperature held and model the thermal profile in the ceramic tile grout seal. Both the FE-generated thermal profiles and the resultant operating maps predicted temperatures and vitrification depths which were consistently higher than those obtained experimentally. Notwithstanding this, a comparison of the results revealed that the predicted depths of vitrification were in very close agreement with those observed on AOCG samples treated with the HPDL.