Dissimilar laser welding of NiTi to stainless steel

Shape memory superelastic alloys as NiTi have mechanical properties and biocompatibility characteristics quite interesting for a set of industries, amongst which is the medical industry. They find applications in tools and devices where frequently joining between them and to other alloys as austenitic stainless steel is required. However, permanent joining of NiTi to stainless steel is problematic due to the formation of Fe–Ti intermetallics. Pulsed laser welding was studied to join thin foils of NiTi in similar and dissimilar joints to stainless steel. Joining NiTi to NiTi was succeeded with no weld defects. When joining NiTi to stainless steel, it was found that the material impinged by the laser determined the weld pool shape and structure, and it was better when the stainless steel foil was placed below the laser, because nickel enrichment of the weld pool was found to minimise cracking. The factors controlling the weld pool composition and, consequently, the quality of the weld were investigated and discussed.