Weld characteristics of orthodontic archwire materials.

Welding attachments to archwires can produce change in their physical as well as mechanical properties. This study evaluated three archwire alloy materials-stainless steel, Beta titanium, and Timolium for their weld characteristics. The study was divided into tensile-shear test using instron universal testing machine, surface evaluation with the help of scanning electron microscope, and metallographic examination with optical microscope. Six specimens were used for evaluation of each parameter. Increased strength in tensile-shear test and smooth surface and characteristic nugget formation in scanning and optical micrographs, respectively, clearly indicated superior weld characteristics for Beta titanium alloys when compared with the other two archwire alloys. Stainless steel was found to be intermediate in nature, whereas Timolium exhibited poor weld characteristics.