Processing of porous TiNi alloys using magnesium as space holder

Slightly Ni-rich, chemically homogeneous porous TiNi alloys having porosities in the range 59-81% have been produced using magnesium powder as pore forming agent. TiNi in the form of austenite, apart from a small amount of martensite, was the only phase present in the product. The processed alloys exhibited interconnected open pores spherical in shape and with an average pore size around 400 mu m. Elastic modulus values observed to extend from 0.5 to 9 GPa depending on porosity content were comparable to that of cancellous bone. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.