Porous NiTi fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of elemental powders

Porous NiTi shape memory alloy has been an active area of research for medical application due to their similar microstructure to human bone. In this study, porous product was obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of compacts prepared from elemental nickel and titanium powders and the effects of the green porosity and preheating temperature were examined. The porosity in the synthesised products was in the range of 45–59 vol.%, with the green porosity being the primary source of final porosity. NiTi was present as the dominant phase in the porous product with other secondary intermetallic compounds and element powders. The effect of green porosity and preheating temperature was found to have an effect on the pore morphology and microstructure.