A method for bonding a porous tantalum structure (10) to a substrate (12) is provided. The method comprises providing a substrate (12) comprising cobalt or a cobalt-chromium alloy an interlayer (16) consisting essentially of at least one of hafnium, manganese, niobium, palladium, zirconium, titanium, or alloys or combinations thereof and a porous tantalum structure (10). Heat and pressure are applied to the substrate (12), the interlayer (16), and the porous tantalum structure (10) to achieve solid-state diffusion between the substrate (12) and the interlayer (16) and between the interlayer (16) and the porous tantalum structure (10).