Effects of welding parameters on the mechanical performance of laser welded nitinol

The excellent pseudoelasticity, shape memory and biocompatibility of Nitinol have made it a leading candidate for various applications, including aerospace, micro-electronics and medical devices. Challenges associated with welding Nitinol need to be resolved before its full potential in practical applications can be attained. The current study details the effects of process parameters on the mechanical and pseudoelastic properties of Ni-rich pulsed Nd:YAG laser welded Nitinol. The weld strength and pseudoelasticity for varying welding parameters are compared to those of the base metal. In addition, fusion zone hardness was measured and analyzed. Finally, optical micrographs of weld metal microstructures were compared. Copyright © 2010 ASM International® All rights reserved.