Heat treatment of laser-welded gold alloys

(1) Three alloys, G-3, SMG-2, and Ceramco-0, showed no ductility in the aswelded condition. (2) The Ney G-3 as-welded samples had no ductility, but heat treating greatly increased their yield stress. (3) The simulated ceramic firing cycle created a small amount of ductility in SMG-2, but the lowering of the yield stress in Ceramco-0 renders the welds dangerously weak even with improved ductility. (4) The Jelenko F as-welded specimens were acceptable. Heat treatment improved the joints slightly, but this is not considered necessary. (5) The Ney B-2 as-welded specimens produced satisfactory joints which did not benefit from heat treatment. The large loss in ductility with heat treatment is considered undesirable. (6) The unpredictable behavior of Ceramco-0 in this study suggests the need to evaluate each alloy individually before clinical application.