Flow tube for a flow sensor and process for manufacturing a flow tube

A process for manufacturing a flow tube, the flow tube comprising a first housing half with a first portion connection surface and a second housing half with a second housing portion connection surface configured to combine with the first portion connection surface and to enclose a mounting gap for a diaphragm element as a flow body in a flow duct defined by the housing, wherein the first portion connection surface comprises a first abutting surface section and the second housing portion connection surface comprises a second abutting surface section, the first abutting surface section and the second abutting surface section being located at a spaced location from the mounting gap, and at least one of the first housing half and the second housing half being laser transparent in an area for material bonding, wherein the process comprises the following steps:

• joining the two housing halves such that the diaphragm element is enclosed by the two housing halves in the mounting gap and the two housing halves abut against one another outside of the mounting gap in the area of the first abutting surface section and the second abutting surface section;
• and
• combining the housing halves with each other in a material bonded manner outside of the mounting gap and outside of the first abutting surface section and of the second abutting surface section by laser welding, wherein the two housing halves are connected with each other in the material bonded manner in the area for material bonding.