Laser Welding Techniques in Biomedical Applications
Summary
Laser welding has emerged as a pivotal joining method across a spectrum of biomedical disciplines, offering unparalleled precision, minimal thermal distortion and rapid processing times. By harnessing high-intensity light beams, clinicians and manufacturers can create robust bonds in metallic and ceramic components used in dental prostheses, orthopaedic implants and microsurgical devices. Key advantages include the capacity for intraoperative application, where compact laser units facilitate in vivo welding of implant abutments and customised frameworks without the need for extensive instrumentation. The controllable energy input minimises the heat-affected zone, preserving surrounding tissues and reducing the risk of thermal necrosis. Fibre lasers, such as Nd:YAG systems, deliver pulsed outputs that can be tuned to optimise penetration depth and weld morphology, while maintaining biocompatibility of untreated surfaces. Advances in beam delivery and real-time monitoring have extended applications to ceramic surface conditioning, adhesive bonding enhancement and repair of complex geometries. Collectively, these developments underscore a shift towards more sustainable, patient-centred procedures that integrate fabrication and clinical workflows.
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Laser Welding Techniques in Biomedical Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser welding techniques in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Laser welding: A process using concentrated light energy to fuse materials with minimal mechanical stress and narrow heat-affected zones.
Nd:YAG laser: A solid-state laser emitting near-infrared light (typically 1064 nm) in pulsed or continuous modes, commonly employed for precision welding of metals and ceramics.
Heat-affected zone: The region of material adjacent to the weld that experiences thermal cycles altering microstructure without melting.
Biocompatibility: The ability of a material or processing method to perform without eliciting adverse cellular or tissue responses in the body.
Polarisation resistance: An electrochemical measure of a material’s resistance to corrosion, determined from current–potential curves.
References
- Investigation of Laser-Welded Co-Cr Dental Alloys by Microscopy and Mechanical Testing. Metals (2023).
- Influence of Filler Metal on Electrochemical Characteristics of a Laser-Welded CoCrMoW Alloy Used in Prosthodontics. Materials (2022).
- Laser Welded versus Resistance Spot Welded Bone Implants: Analysis of the Thermal Increase and Strength. The Scientific World JOURNAL (2014).
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