Innovative processing of porous and cellular materials by chemical reaction

Nickel aluminide foam and porous Ti composite (TiC, TiB(2)/Ti) were synthesized. A reaction between Ni and Al was used to make the nickel aluminide foam. Porous Ti composite was fabricated by reactions between (1) Ti and C or (2) Ti and B4C. Gas release from the elemental powders and initial porosity in the green powder compact were the formation mechanisms of the pores.