A new technique for the characterization of the water leaching behavior of space holding particles in the preparation of biomedical titanium scaffolds

•A new method for characterization of water leaching of space holder was developed.•With this method, precise data plots of space holder removal could be obtained.•The acquired data plots fit well in with the existing solvent debinding models.•The mechanisms operating during water leaching could be established.•Dissolution and diffusion are the primary mechanisms in the leaching of space holder.

In this study, a new real-time measurement technique for the characterization of the water leaching behavior of space holding particles from titanium scaffold preform for bone tissue engineering was developed. This technique yielded accurate and reproducible data. Fitting the data acquired into the existing solvent debinding models led to plots that could be used to elucidate the mechanisms operating during the space holder removal process through water leaching, i.e., (i) rapid dissolution, (ii) dissolution and diffusion and (iii) saturation.