Coagulant assisted foaming - A method for cellular Ti6Al4V: Influence of microstructure on mechanical properties

A simple direct casting route for open porous Ti6Al4V foam is presented in this study. Metal powder dispersion into the highly stable protein foam, followed by casting, drying and sintering produced variable microstructures with pore size distribution between 44.6 and 653.8 µm. The compressive strengths of 2.46-65.5 MPa and elastic modulus of 15.6-363.8 MPa were obtained over porosity ranging from 65.2% to 89.3%. Gibson-Ashby model was validated for relative strengths with densities. Factors influencing homogeneity within green as well as sintered microstructure exhibited direct correlation to the mechanical properties of the sintered foams.