Structure, permeability, and strength properties of porous nickel titanium alloys with aluminum additives

The structure and properties of a porous nickel titanium (TiNi) alloy fabricated by the method of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis from a mixture of powdered titanium and nickel with aluminum dopant additives ($C_{\mathrm{Al}}$ = 0.5–2.0 at%) have been studied. The influence of aluminum additives on the structure, permeability, and strength properties of TiNi-based porous alloys has been assessed. The presence of aluminum additives allows porous alloys with increased content of fine (1–20 $\mu$m) pores and uniform poresize distribution to be obtained. The optimum concentration of aluminum dopant for obtaining high-quality materials is determined.