Titanium foam with coarser cell size and wide range of porosity using different types of evaporative space holders through powder metallurgy route

• Ti-foams made using acrowax and ammonium bicarbonate as space holder.
• Cell size are comparable to the size of space holder.
• Relative density predicted as a function of space holder content and volume fraction.
• The mechanical properties of foam varies with space holder used.
• The mechanical properties follow standard relationships.

Ti-foams were made using different evaporative types of space holders such as acrowax and ammonium bicarbonate with a wide range of porosities (55–89%) through powder metallurgy technique. Cold compaction pressure was varied from 100 to 200 MPa in order to examine the effect of cold compaction pressures on the absolute porosities of the foams. The cell size, cell wall thickness and porosities of the foams were characterised as a function of cold compaction pressures and type of space holders. Empirical correlation has been established to predict foam porosities from compaction pressures and volume fraction of space holder. The sintered foams were found to be free from residue of the space holder. However, approximate 8–10% of titanium oxidized during sintering. The foam made with acrowax, as space holder attains slightly higher strength, modulus and energy absorption.