Porosity and mechanical properties of porous titanium fabricated by gelcasting

Porous Ti compacts with large size and complex shape for biomedical applications were fabricated in the porosity range from 40.5% to 53.8% by controlling gelcasting parameters and sintering conditions. The experimental results show that the total porosity and open porosity of porous titanium compacts gelcast from the Ti slurry with 34 vol.% solid loading and sintered at 1100 degrees C for 1.5 h are 46.5% and 40.7%, respectively, and the mechanical properties are as follows: compressive strength 158.6 MPa and Young's modulus 8.5 GPa, which are similar to those of human cortical bone and appropriate for implanting purpose.