A method for preparation of a getter material on the basis of intermetallic compounds of barium is described. The method comprises preparing a melt of a ternary mixture containing barium, metal and sodium; directionally solidifying the melt to produce a textured ingot; granulating the textured ingot, thereby obtaining granules having open-ended voids extending therethrough; and evaporating the sodium from the granules by applying a thermovacuum treatment to the granules. The textured ingot comprises a getter body made of intermetallic compounds of barium; and open-ended voids within the getter body.