Using pure Ti and Ni powders, a porous TiNi shape memory alloy has been prepared by self propagating high temperature synthesis(SHS). The porous SHS samples possess a regular shape, stable dimensions, and relatively satisfactory porous interconnections etc. The density, maximum pore size, permeability, pore structure, element distribution and phase composition of the porous samples have been analyzed. The results show that the SHS process used for producing TiNi alloys with high porosity and low density possesses many advantages, such as full alloying, homogenous composition, high porosity (over 50%), simplifying processing, energy savings etc. Accordingly it is an ideal method for producing TiNi alloys.