Functionally Graded Materials

Abstract

Functionally graded materials (FGM) are advanced composite materials that differ from conventional composite materials in that the transition zone that is a sharp visible interface in laminate composite is replaced by a graduated interface that changes gradually from one material to the other. The gradually changing interface in FGM can prevent the common failure of debonding that is associated with traditional composite materials. Functionally graded materials exist in nature, and technology has borrowed this idea from nature to solve several engineering problems. This chapter presents an introduction to functionally graded materials; functionally graded materials in nature, types of functionally graded materials, methods of fabrication of FGM, and areas of application of FGMs are discussed. Some research efforts in this field are also reviewed.