Functionally Graded Materials

Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) are materials that gradually change in composition and structure over volume, causing commensurate changes in the material's characteristics. The materials can be made for certain uses and functions. The functionally graded materials are created using a variety of techniques based on bulk (particulate processing), preform processing, layer processing, and melt processing. FGM has a wide range of applications. The idea is to create a composite material by changing the microstructure along a specified gradient from one material to another. The material can thus benefit from the greatest qualities of both components. Depending on the necessity for thermal, corrosive, malleable, or toughness, both strengths of the material may be used to avoid corrosion, fatigue, fracture, and stress corrosion cracking. It is frequently possible to simulate the transition between the two materials using a power series. Both the aviation and aerospace business and the computer circuit industry are very interested in the concept of materials that can withstand extraordinarily high temperature gradients. This is frequently done using a ceramic layer and a metallic layer. The results of a quasi-static bending test the Air Vehicles Directorate conducted on test specimens of functionally graded titanium/titanium boride are shown below. The experiment showed a link using FEA using a quadrilateral mesh with each element having its own thermal and structural properties.