ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To make an clinical implication for the use of laser welding pure titanium,this study investigate the effect of irradiation power on the mechanical properties of laser-welded joints. METHODS: The pure titanium tensile test and three-point bending test rods were laser-welded with different irradiation power. Then the tensile rods were tested for the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and the bending rods for the ultimate bending strength (UBS). The tensile fracture surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Metallurgical analysis was also performed on polished longitudinal sectioned samples. RESULTS: A small portion of the central area in group 1.4 kW was not joined. ANOVA showed no significant difference of OTS and VBS between group 1.6 kW and group 1.8 kW at the 0.05 level. SEM examination and metallurgical analysis showed that there were defects such as pores and cracks in the welding zone; and as the irradiation power increased, there were more pores and cracks. CONCLUSION: The increase in laser irradiation power cannot increase melting depth significantly.