Effects of alkali and heat treatment on strength of porous Ti35Nb

Porous Ti35Nb alloy with a porosity of 66% was made by a powder metallurgical method, and then it was treated by a standard treatment for activating the surface of Ti implant materials involving alkali and heat treatment. The alkali and heat treatment causes damages of the struts of the porous Ti35Nb in the form of reaction products layer, grain-pullout and cracks. Consequently, it leads to a significant degradation of the strength of the porous alloy. The effect of the alkali and heat treatment on the strength of the porous alloy was discussed.