Porosity characterization of biomedical magnesium foams produced by Spark Plasma Sintering

The present work discusses the preliminary results of the proposed indirect porosity measurement methodology. Such methodology makes use of the electrical parameters of Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process in order to relate the resistance of a metallic foam sample with its porosity. In order to produce biomimetic orthopedic implants, magnesium foams with open interconnected porosity have been identified as promising candidate. The control of porosity and pores size distribution is of major importance, therefore an optimized procedure is here presented. Further experiments are planned to identify a comprehensive relation between the sample resistance function and its porosity.