Combustion synthesis of porous materials for bone replacement

Production of highly porous composite materials by traditional materials processing is limited by difficult processing techniques. However, combustion or self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) allows many porous ceramic, intermetallic, glass, and metallic systems to be formed with relative ease. Examination of the SHS reaction parameters that control the extent of porosity further increases the feasibility of producing novel composites for such uses as bone implant applications. Combustion Synthesis of porous Ti-TiBx and NiTi composite materials have been studied with respect to the sensitivity to the SHS reaction parameters of stoichiometry, green density, gasifying agents, and gravity. The main objective of this research program is to engineer the required porosity and mechanical properties into the composite materials to meet the requirements of a consumer, such as for the application of bone replacement materials. Biomedical results indicated strongly that there is natural bone ingrowth with no apparent immune response in the composite materials produced by this process.