Abstract: A novel method is disclosed for the preparation of a sintered porous body of a metallic or ceramic powder having a closed cell texture and a porosity as high as 95% or higher. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a foamable aqueous slurried composition containing a powder of the metallic or ceramic material, a blowing agent and a binder resin which is a water-soluble polymer capable of becoming gelled; subjecting the slurried composition to gelation of the binder resin; subjecting the gelled mass of the composition to foaming by gas-evolution from the blowing agent; and heating the thus gelled and foamed body of the composition to effect drying and sintering of the particles of the metallic or ceramic powder.