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Abstract
The effect of laser trimming on the tensile strength and fatigue resistance of Ti, 6 wt% Al, and 4 wt% V specimens was investigated. Due to the nature of laser processing, the microstructure of the titanium alloy was altered in areas local to the cut known as the kerf and the heat affected zone (HAZ), respectively. Experimental cutting was conducted in order to optimize laser process parameters to minimize dross adhesion and the width of the HAZ. Test specimens of two thicknesses, n“ and 0.125” were laser cut at three industrial laser sheet metal cutting laboratories at parameter values determined to be the optimum by each respective laboratory, with the criteria of no dross adhesion. Extreme care was taken to meaningfully compare the results of tensile strength and fatigue life data to those of mechanically machined and polished specimens, as a material reference using statistical techniques.