Novel double pore structures of TiAl produced by powder metallurgy processing

A novel preparation process consisting of four stages has been successfully developed to produce Ti52Al48 (at.%) intermetallic compound porous material based on the combined action of making pores arising from the replication of space holders and Kirkendall effect. The porous TiAl exhibits a typical double pore structure, millimeter pores distributed in matrix and micrometer pores embedded in pore walls and struts. Moreover a complete open-cellular structure and homogeneous distribution can be observed and the porosity even more than 80% can be easily achieved. Compressive tests and micrograph observation illustrate that the most suitable sintering temperature should be around 1400°C for the porous TiAl. •A novel preparation process consisting of four stages has been successfully developed to produce Ti52Al48 (at.%) intermetallic compound porous materials based on the combined action of making pores arising from the replication of space holders and Kirkendall effect.•The porous TiAl with high porosity even more than 80% exhibits typical double pore structures with an open-cellular homogeneous distribution.