Recent progress in porous titanium: fabrication strategies, multi-scale property characterization, and applications
摘要
Porous titanium (Ti) is a pivotal porous metal with excellent metallic properties and a well-engineered porous microstructure. As a promising high-performance lightweight structural material, it has garnered substantial scientific attention primarily driven by its exceptional mechanical strength, superior energy absorption capacity, and extensive applicability. Contemporary research on porous Ti has focused on two core objectives: advancing its performance boundaries and developing cost-effective manufacturing processes to enable large-scale practical applications. It also provides a comprehensive overview of diverse fabrication methodologies. It covers both traditional expandable phase techniques and innovative phase-free approaches, which allow for more precise customization of material properties. A detailed comparative analysis was conducted, ranging from macroscopic factors that govern the physical form and stability of porous Ti to microscopic characteristics such as pore size distribution, connectivity, and the interface between the Ti matrix and pore walls. This review explores various testing methods for evaluating a broad spectrum of material properties (including mechanical, thermal, and electrochemical properties) as well as their key application fields. Furthermore, it highlights the existing obstacles impeding the development and adoption of porous Ti, while predicting future research trends and potential breakthroughs. By offering a holistic and forward-looking perspective, this study aims to serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners, thereby stimulating further investigation and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of porous Ti.