REVIEW ON FUNCTIONALLY GRADED

MATERIALS
SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted by

ATHIRA SOMAN
SBW18CECS06

to

the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree

of

Master of Technology

in

Civil Engineering

(Computer Aided Structural Engineering)

Department of Civil Engineering

SREE BUDDHA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

ELAVUMTHITTA, PATHANAMTHITTA 689625
NOVEMBER 2019
 DECLARATION

I undersigned hereby declare that the seminar report “Review on Functionally

Graded Materials”, submitted for partial fullfilment of the requirements for the
award of degree of Master of Technology of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological
University, Kerala is a bonafide work done by me under supervision of Mrs.
Archana. This submission represents my ideas in my own words and where ideas
or words of others have been included; I have adequately and accurately cited and
referenced the original sources. I also declare that I have adhered to ethics of
academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented or fabricated any data
or idea or fact or source in my submission. I understand that any violation of the
above will be a cause for disciplinary action by the institute and / or the University
and can also evoke penal action from the sources which have thus not been
obtained. This report has not been previously formed the basis for the award of
any degree, diploma or similar title of any other University.

Place : Elavumthitta

Date : 10/10/2019 Athira Soman

 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
SREE BUDDHA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELAVUMTHITTA, PATHANAMTHITTA 689625

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the report entitled ‘Review on Functionally

Graded Materials’ submitted by „Athira Soman‟ to the APJ Abdul Kalam

Technological University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award
of the Degree of Master of Technology in Computer Aided Structural Engineering
is a bonafide record of the project work carried out by her under our guidance and
supervision. This report in any form has not been submitted to any other
University or Institute for any purpose.

Mrs. Archana Sukumaran Ms. Aswathy Suku

(Guide) (Seminar Co-ordinator)

Dr. E.V. Nampoothiri

(HEAD OF THE DEPT)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. E V Nampoothiri, Prof., Head of

Department of Civil Engineering, Sree Buddha College of Engineering, Ayathil,
Elavumthitta for encouragement and support without which this Seminar could
not have been accomplished.

I would also like to thank my guide Mrs. Archana Sukumaran, Asst. Prof.,
Department of Civil Engineering for her valuable advice and wholehearted co-
operation without which this Seminar would not have seen the light of the day.

I am grateful to the Seminar co-coordinator Ms.Aswathy Suku, Asst. Prof., and

all my teachers of the Department of Civil Engineering & my friends for their
valuable suggestions and encouragement.

Above all, I thank the almighty GOD without whose blessing I would never have
been able to complete this work successfully.

ATHIRA SOMAN

i
 ABSTRACT

Materials, energy and modern sciences are the three pillars of modern technology.
New material developments and research are leading the invention of materials, as
the cornerstone of 21st century high tech field. In recent years the materials
science gained rapid developments. The reason is the increased interdisciplinary
interactions as one hand and introduction of cross penetration of new theories,
new methods and new experimental techniques on the other hand. Also, the urgent
need for practical application of the material has put forwards new demands. The
FGM is the one which can solve practical problems arising from production and
application of new type of composite materials. Functionally graded materials
(FGMs) are composite materials, microscopically inhomogeneous, in which the
mechanical properties vary smoothly and continuously from one surface to
another, and it finds application in various outlets of industry. It is the advanced
materials in the field of composites, which can resist high temperatures and are
proficient in reducing the thermal stresses. In this paper study is performed on
review of FGM composite materials. Various methods and theories for modelling
and analyses of functionally graded materials had been reviewed. The
characteristics, applications and advantages of functionally graded materials are
also briefly described.

ii
 CONTENTS
Contents Page No.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i

ABSTRACT ii

LIST OF FIGURES vi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ix

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 General 1

1.2 History of FGM 1

1.3 Characteristics of FGM 2

2. FABRICATION PROCESS

2.1 General 6

2.2 Thin Functionally Graded Materials

2.2.1 Vapour Deposition Technique

2.2.2 Plasma Spray Process

2.2.3 Self-Propagating High Temperature Synthesis

2.3 Bulk Functionally Graded Material

2.3.1 Powder Metallurgy

2.3.2 Centrifugal Method

2.3.3 Solid Freeform (SFF) Fabrication Method

3. CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIALS

3.1 General 8

3.2 Classification 8

4. VARIOUS ANALYTICAL APPROACHES

4.1 General 12

iii
 4.2 Mori Tanka Method 12

4.3 Method of Cells 12

4.4 Simplified Strength of Materials Method 13

4.5 Composite Cylindrical Assemblage Model 14

4.6 Composite Sphere Assemblage Model 14

4.7 Micromechanical Models 15

5. APPLICATIONS OF FGM

5.1 General 17

5.2 Applications of FGM in Various Fields 17

5.2.1 Aerospace 17

5.2.2 Medicine

5.2.3 Defence

5.2.4 Energy

5.2.5 Optoelectronics

5.2.6 Civil Engineering

6. ADVANTAGES OF FGM 22

6.1 General 22

6.2 Advantages 22

7. LIMITATIONS OF FGM

7.1 General 27

7.2 Limitations 27

8. CONCLUSION 33

REFERENCES 34

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No: Title Page No.

1.1 FGM Structure 2

2.1 Plasma Spray Process 8

2.2 Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis 9

2.3 Powder Metallurgy Technique 10

2.4 Centrifugal Casting Process 13

2.5 Solid Free Form Technology 13

3.1 Based on nature of gradients, different types functionally gradient 13

materials may be of: (a) Fraction Gradient Type (b) Shape
Gradient Type (c)Orientation Gradient Type (d) Size Gradient
Type

v
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

FGM

PM

SFF

CVD

PVD

RVE

SHS

FE

vi
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL
In the development of our society materials have played an essential role. The
scientific use of available base materials into various inorganic and organic
compounds has made the path for developing the advanced polymers, engineering
alloys, structural ceramics, etc. For satisfying the ever increasing requirements,
newer and newer materials such as polymers, engineering alloys, structural
ceramics and composites were developed. As the human race evolved from stone-
age to the space age, the development of technology necessitated and was
supported by the innovation of new materials.
Pure metals were of little use in engineering applications because of the demand
of conflicting property requirement. For example, an application may require a
material that is hard as well as ductile, there is no such material existing in nature.
To solve this problem, combination (in molten state) of one metal with other
metals or non-metals is used. This combination of materials in the molten state is
termed alloying (recently referred to as conventional alloying) that gives a
property that is different from the parent materials. Bronze, alloy of copper and
tin, was the first alloy that appears in human history. But there were limitations to
the amount of material that can be dissolved. Also conventional alloying of two
dissimilar materials with wide apart melting temperature was not possible. A
method to overcome this was powdered metallurgy (PM) were alloys are
produced in powdered form. In spite of its excellent characteristics, there existed
some limitations which included intricate shapes and features that cannot be
produced using PM, the parts were porous and had poor strength. With
advancement composite materials were produced by combining one or more
materials in solid states and had distinct physical and chemical properties different
from the individual parent materials. These materials will fail under extreme
working conditions through a process called de-lamination (separation of fibers
from the matrix).
Materials, energy & modern science are the three pillars of modern technology.
Day by day lots of changes are occurred in this field. New technology will helps

1
in production of smart materials all over the world. Hence various theories may
put forward for the analysis use of such smart materials. FGM is the new sort of
materials which can largely used in various civil and structural engineering
applications such as aircrafts, nuclear reactors etc.
Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) are the heterogeneous composite materials
in which the material properties are gradually varied between two points in a
predetermined manner. FGM can also be defined as a composite in which the
material properties are gradually varied along a certain direction as a function of
the position coordinates to achieve desired strength and stiffness. Thus, mitigating
problems induced due to the sudden change of thermo-mechanical properties as in
the case of laminated composites. Discontinuous changes such as a stepwise
gradation of the material constituents can also be regarded as FGMs. FGMs are
composite materials where the concentration, shape and orientation of constituent
phases vary in one or more directions optimizing the performance.
Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are the advanced materials in the family of
engineering composites made of two or more constituent phases with continuous
and smoothly varying composition. These advanced materials with engineered
gradients of composition, structure and specific properties in the preferred
direction are superior to homogeneous material composed of similar constituents.
The mechanical properties such as Young‟s modulus of elasticity, Poisson‟s ratio,
shear modulus of elasticity, and material density, vary smoothly and continuously
in preferred directions in FGMs. FGMs have been developed by combining the
advanced engineering materials in the form of particulates, fibers, whiskers, or
platelets.

1.2 HISTORY OF FGM

The concept of FGM was first introduced in Japan in 1984 during a space plane
project. Where a combination of materials was required that would form a thermal
barrier capable of withstanding a surface temperature of about 2000 K and a
temperature gradient of the order 1000 K across a 10-mm section. In recent years,
this concept has become more popular in different European countries,
particularly in Germany. A transregional collaborative research centre is funded

2
since 2006 in order to use maximum potential of grading mono materials, such as
aluminium, steel and polypropylene, by using thermo-mechanically coupled
manufacturing processes.
The basic structural units of FGMs are elements represented by maxel. The term
maxel was coined in 2005 by Rajeev Dwivedi and Radovan Kovacevic at
Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM). The attributes of maxel
include the location and volume fraction of individual material components. A
maxel is also used to represent various methods of the additive manufacturing
(such as stereo-lithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modelling,
etc.) to describe the physical voxel (as derived from the words 'volume' and
'pixel'), that defines the build resolution of either a rapid manufacturing or rapid
prototyping process, or the total resolution of a design produced by such
fabrication methods.
1.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF FGM

FGM are materials in which some particular physical properties are changed with
dimensions. One unique characteristics of FGM is the ability to tailor a
material for specific application. The development of FGMs emerged as a means
to improve the toughness behavior of composite materials, when compared to
homogeneously reinforced composites; this improvement is due to the balanced
contributions of reinforced and non reinforced regions within the composite.
There are three phases of FGMs (Ceramic/ Metal, Ceramic/Ceramic,
Metal/Metal). As a representative example for FGMs, we just mention the
metal/ceramic FGMs, which are compositionally graded from a ceramic phase to a
metal phase.The ceramic/metal FGMs can be designed to reduce thermal stresses
and take advantage of the heat and corrosion resistances of ceramic and the
mechanical strength, high toughness, good machinability and bonding capability
of metals without severe internal thermal stresses.The ceramic-metal FGMs
exhibit higher fracture resistance parameters resulting in higher toughness due to
crack bridging in a graded volume fraction. Due to the high mechanical and
thermal properties of the constituent materials, the Ceramic/Metal FGMs can
exhibit good service performance under some severe environments, such as super
high temperature and great temperature. FGMs has an advantage of potential

3
reduction of in-plane and through-the thickness transverse stresses, improved
thermal properties, high toughness, etc. FGMs consisting of metallic and ceramic
components are well-known to enhance the properties of thermal-barrier systems,
because cracking or de-lamination, which are often observed in conventional
multi-layer systems are avoided due to the smooth transition between the
properties of the components.

Fig. 1.1: FGM Structure

4
 2. FABRICATION PROCESS

2.1 GENERAL

There are different kinds of fabrication processes for producing functionally

graded materials. Functionally graded materials can be divided into two broad
groups namely: thin and bulk FGM. Thin FGM are relatively thin sections or thin
surface coating, while the bulk FGM are volume of materials which require more
labour intensive processes. Thin section or surface coatings FGM are produced by
Physical or Chemical Vapours Deposition (PVD/CVD), Plasma Spraying, Self-
propagating High temperature Synthesis (SHS) etc. Bulk FGM is produced using
powder metallurgy technique, centrifugal casting method, solid freeform
technology etc.

2.2 THIN FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIALS

Thin functionally graded materials are usually in the form of surface coatings,
there are a wide range of surface deposition processes to choose from depending
on the service requirement from the process.

2.2.1 Vapour Deposition Technique

There are different types of vapour deposition techniques, they include: sputter
deposition, Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and Physical Vapour Deposition
(PVD). These vapour deposition methods are used to deposit functionally graded
surface coatings and they give excellent microstructure, but they can only be used
for depositing thin surface coating. They are energy intensive and produce
poisonous gases as their byproducts. Other methods used in producing
functionally graded coating include: plasma spraying, electrodeposition,
electrophoretic, Ion Beam Assisted Deposition, Self-Propagating High-
temperature Synthesis etc.

5
  Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)

It is a chemical process used to produce high purity, high performance solid

materials. In a typical CVD process, the substrate is exposed to one or more
volatile precursors which react and decompose on the substrate surface to produce
the desired deposit. During the process, volatile by products are also produced,
which are removed by gas flow through reaction chamber.

 Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)

It is a fundamentally a vaporization coating technique, involving transfer of

material on an atomic level. The process is similar to Chemical Vapour
Deposition except that the raw materials, i.e. the material that is going to be
deposited starts out in solid form where as in CVD , the raw materials are
introduced to the reaction chamber in the gaseous state.

2.2.2 Plasma Spray Process

It is basically the spraying of molten or heat softened material onto a surface to

provide a coating. Material in the form of powder is injected into a very high
temperature plasma flame, where it is rapidly heated and accelerated to a high
velocity. The hot material impacts on the substrate surface and rapidly cools
forming a coating.

Fig 3.1: Plasma Spray Process

6
2.2.3 Self-Propagating High Temperature Synthesis

In its usual format, SHS is conducted starting from finely powdered whereas in
other cases, they are sintered to minimize their surface area and prevent
uninitiated exothermic reactions, which can be dangerous. The synthesis is
initiated by point-heating of a small part of the sample.Once started, a wave of
exothermic reaction sweeps through the remaining material.

Fig 3.2: Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis

2.3 BULK FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIAL

All the above mentioned processes cannot be used to produce bulk FGM because
they are generally slow and energy intensive, therefore they are uneconomical to
be used in producing bulk FGM. Some of the fabrication methods for producing
bulk functionally graded materials are as follows:

2.3.1 Powder Metallurgy

Powder metallurgy (PM) technique is used to produce functionally graded

material through three basic steps namely: weighing and mixing of powder
according to the pre-designed spatial distribution as dictated by the functional

7
requirement, stacking and ramming of the premixed-powders, and finally
sintering. PM technique gives rise to a stepwise structure. If continuous structure
is desired, then centrifugal method is used.

Fig 3.3: Powder Metallurgy Technique

2.3.2 Centrifugal Method

Centrifugal method is similar to centrifugal casting where the force of gravity is

used through spinning of the mould to form bulk functionally graded material.
The graded material is produced in this way because of the difference in material
densities and the spinning of the mould. There are other similar processes like
centrifugal method in the literature (e.g. gravity method, etc.). Although
continuous grading can be achieved using centrifugal method but only cylindrical
shapes can be formed. Another problem of centrifugal method is that there is limit
to which type of gradient can be produced because the gradient is formed through
natural process (centrifugal force and density difference).

Fig 3.4: Centrifugal Casting Process

8
2.3.3 Solid Freeform (SFF) Fabrication Method

Solid freeform is an additive manufacturing process that offers lots of advantages

that include: higher speed of production, less energy intensive, maximum material
utilization, ability to produce complex shapes and design freedom as parts are
produced directly from CAD (e.g. AutoCAD) data.

SFF involves five basic steps: generation of CAD data from the software like
AutoCAD, Solid edge etc, conversion of the CAD data to Standard Triangulation
Language (STL) file, slicing of the STL into two dimensional cross-section
profiles, building of the component layer by layer, and lastly removal and
finishing. There are various types of SFF technologies, laser based processes are
mostly employed in fabrication of functionally graded materials. Laser based SFF
process for FGM include: laser cladding based method , Selective Laser Sintering
(SLS) , 3-D Printing (3-DP) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Laser cladding
based system and selective laser melting are capable of producing fully dense
components. Solid freeform provide manufacturing flexibility amongst other
advantages but the technology is characterized by poor surface finish making it
necessary to carry out a secondary finishing operation.

Fig 3.5: Solid Free Form Technology

9
 3. CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONALLY GRADED
MATERIALS
3.1 GENERAL

Functionally graded materials belong to a class of advanced materials

characterised by the variation in properties as the dimension varies (usually along
the thickness). The overall properties of FGM can be varied according to our
needs, thus one of the main advantages of such a material is that it can be tailored
specifically for serving a particular function that makes it unique from any of the
base materials used in its synthesis. FGMs can be used to avoid problems
associated with the presence of an interface in a material: stress singularities due
to thermal or elastic property mismatch, unwanted reflections or poor adhesion at
the interface.

3.2 CLASSIFICATION
Functionally graded materials is diverged according to different application
criteria for variety of classification.

 According to metal combination FGM, it is classified into:

o Metal/Ceramic

o Ceramic/Ceramic

o Ceramic/Plastic

 According to changing composition in FGMS, it is classified into:

o Functionally Gradient Type: composed of materials from one side

to another gradient side of the structure of gradient materials.

o Functionally Gradient Coating Type: composed of materials in the

matrix to form a coating composition gradient.

o Functionally Gradient Connection Type: composed of materials

connecting two interface layer between the substrate of gradient
change.

10
 According to application areas, it is classified into Heat resisting FGM,
Biology FGM, Chemical Engineerimg etc.

 According to the nature of gradient, it is classified into:

o Fraction Gradient Type

o Shape Gradient Type

o Orientation Gradient Type

o Size Gradient Type

Fig 3.1 Based on nature of gradients, different types functionally gradient

materials may be of: (a) Fraction Gradient Type (b) Shape Gradient Type
(c)Orientation Gradient Type (d) Size Gradient Type

11
 4. VARIOUS ANALYTICAL APPROACHES

4.1 GENERAL

The fabrication of FGM is made by mixing the two different materials often it will
be the mixture of metal and ceramic. The material properties are depends upon the
volume fraction .The analytical approaches, both finite element methods and
micromechanical models are frequently used for FGM modeling. The most
important subjects of FGM modeling are: elastic strain, elastic stress, plastic
yielding and deformation, creep at elevated temperature, crack propagation etc.

4.2 MORI TANKA METHOD

Such a method works well for composites with regions of the graded
microstructure have a clearly defined continuous matrix This method assumes a
small spherical particle embedded in a matrix. The matrix phase (denoted by the
subscript 1), is assumed to be reinforced by spherical particles of a particulate
phase (denoted by the subscript 2). K1, G1 and V1 represents the bulk modulus, the
shear modulus and the volume fraction of the matrix phase respectively; whereas
K2, G2 and V2 denote the corresponding material properties and the volume
fraction of the particulate phase. It should be noticed that V1 + V2 = 1. The
effective mass density at a point can be given by the rule of mixture (q = q1V1 +
q2V2).

4.3 COMPOSITE SPHERE ASSEMBLAGE MODEL

In this model, the effective properties of isotropic composite materials have been
determined analytically, which is based on the simplifying assumption that the
composite material is filled with a fractal assemblage of spheres embedded in a
concentric spherical matrix of different diameters such that the spheres completely
fill the volume of the composite.

12
4.4 COMPOSITE CYLINDRICAL ASSEMBLAGE MODEL

This model is used for orthotropic composites and requires both the reinforcing
fiber and matrix are isotropic, while the representative volume elements (RVEs)
microstructure is transversely isotropic in material planes that are perpendicular to
the fiber direction.

4.5 SIMPLIFIED STRENGTH OF MATERIALS METHOD

This is a popular modeling method due to its ease of implementation and

computational efficiency. This method assumes that the matrix phase is reinforced
with, and ideally bonded to, a periodic array of square fibers. This method can
also be used to estimate the orthotropic strengths of fiber reinforced composite
laminate from the strength properties of the fiber and matrix constituents and the
fiber volume fraction.

4.6 METHOD OF CELLS

This is similar to Chamis‟s method of simplified strength of materials, but more

computationally rigorous since it assumes a representative volume element that
involves a larger portion of matrix material.

4.7 MICROMECHANICAL MODELS

These models of representative volume elements may be constructed via FE

simulations for either isotropic or orthotropic composite materials. Methods
involving FE models attempt to accurately simulate the realistic microstructure of
the RVE, and determine the thermo- mechanical response due to applied loads
such that the effective material properties may be calculated for various volume
fractions of constituent reinforcement. In this manner, various sets of curve fitted
data may be collected for different material combinations. This is perhaps the
most accurate method, since the microstructure under consideration is directly
modeled via three-dimensional finite elements. Unfortunately, one drawback to
this method is that multiple models must be constructed in order to determine

13
material properties for various constituent material volume fractions; although this
can be alleviated with proper computer software that can automate the process.

14
 5. APPLICATIONS OF FGM

5.1 GENERAL

FGMs have great potential in applications where the operating conditions are
severe, including spacecraft heat shields, heat exchanger tubes, biomedical
implants, flywheels, and plasma facings for fusion reactors, etc. Various
combinations of the ordinarily incompatible functions can be implemented to
create new materials for aerospace, chemical plants, nuclear energy reactors, etc.
For example, a discrete layer of ceramic material is bonded to a metallic structure
in a conventional thermal barrier coating for high temperature applications.
However, the abrupt transition in material properties across the interface between
distinct materials can cause large inter-laminar stresses and lead to plastic
deformation or cracking. These harmful effects can be eased by smooth spatial
grading of the material constituents. In such cases, large concentrations of ceramic
material are placed at corrosive, high temperature locations, while large
concentrations of metal are placed at regions where mechanical properties need to
be high. The application of these advanced materials was first visualized during a
space plane project in 1984 in National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan to avoid
the stress peaks at interfaces in coated panels for the space shuttle. Combination of
materials used here served the purpose of a thermal barrier system capable of
withstanding a surface temperature of 2000 K with a temperature gradient of1000
K across a 10 mm thick section. Later on, its applications have been expanded to
also the components of chemical plants, solar energy generators, heat exchangers,
nuclear reactors and high efficiency combustion systems.

5.2 APPLICATIONS OF FGM IN VARIOUS FIELDS

The concept of FGMs has been successfully applied in thermal barrier coatings
where requirements are aimed to improve thermal, oxidation and corrosion
resistance. FGMs can also find application in the communication and information
techniques. Abrasive tools for metal and stone cutting are other important
examples where gradation of surface layer has improved performance. Various
major fields of application of FGM are:

15
5.2.1 Aerospace

Functionally graded materials can withstand very high thermal gradient, this
makes it suitable for use in structures and space plane body, rocket engine
component etc. If processing technique is improved, FGM are promising and can
be used in wider areas of aerospace.

5.2.2 Medicine

Living tissues like bones and teeth are characterized as functionally graded
material from nature to replace these tissues, a compatible material is needed that
will serve the purpose of the original bio-tissue. The ideal candidate for this
application is functionally graded material. FGM has find wide range of
application in dental and orthopaedic applications for teeth and bone replacement

5.2.3 Defence

One of the most important characteristics of functionally graded material is the

ability to inhibit crack propagation. This property makes it useful in defence
application, as a penetration resistant materials used for armour plates and bullet-
proof vests. FGMs have been known to increase the level of ballistics protection,
up to 20 folds, at a reduced weight. This can be achieved because the FGMs are
made up of an extremely hard surface layer (to absorb the energy of impact), a
multilayered graded interface and a tough metal backing that accommodates
deformation after ballistic impact.

5.2.4 Energy

FGM are used in energy conversion devices. They also provide thermal barrier
and are used as protective coating on turbine blades in gas turbine engine. They
are used in thermoelectric generators, sensors and solar cells.

5.2.5 Optoelectronics

FGM also finds its application in optoelectronics as graded refractive index

materials and in audio- video discs, magnetic storage media. Other areas of
application are: cutting tool insert coating, automobile engine components, nuclear
reactor components, turbine blade, heat exchanger, Tribology, sensors, fire

16
retardant doors, etc. The list is endless and more application is springing up as the
processing technology, cost of production and properties of FGM improve.

5.2.6 Civil Engineering

Nowadays the researches on FGMs have been carried out intensively.FGMs offer
great promise in applications where the operating conditions are more. Potential
applications include those structural and engineering uses that require
combinations of incompatible functions such as refractoriness or hardness with
toughness or chemical inertness with toughness. The FRP materials improve the
corrosion resistance of the steel and enhance the life cycle of the material strength.

Studies have proved that FGMs can be effectively used in multilayered pavement
design. Research has also been carried out to obtain exact analytical solutions.
Numerous research works have been carried out in vibration and dynamic solution
of functionally graded shell panels with rectangular plan form only.

17
 6. ADVANTAGES OF FGM

6.1 GENERAL

FGMs are gaining wide applications in various branches of engineering and

technology with a view to make suitable use of potential properties of the
available materials in the best possible way. This has been possible through
research and development in the area of mechanics of FGMs for the present day
modern technologies of special nuclear components, spacecraft structural
members, and high temperature thermal barrier coatings, etc. These materials
possess numerous advantages that make them appropriate in potential
applications. It includes a potential reduction of in-plane and through-the
thickness transverse stresses, improved thermal properties, high toughness, etc.
FGMs consisting of metallic and ceramic components are well-known to enhance
the properties of thermal-barrier systems, because cracking or de-lamination,
which are often observed in conventional multi-layer systems are avoided due to
the smooth transition between the properties of the components. The most
common FGMs are metal/ceramic composites, where the ceramic part has good
thermal resistance and metallic part has superior fracture toughness.

6.2 ADVANTAGES

Some of the advantages of functionally graded materials are highlighted below:

1. FGM as an interface layer to connect two incompatible materials can greatly

enhance the bond strength.

2. FGM coating and interface can be used to reduce the residual stress and thermal
stress.

3. FGM coating can be used to connect the materials to eliminate the stress at the
interface and end point stress singularity.

4. FGM coating not only enhances the strength of the connections but can also
reduce the crack driving force.

18
5. FGM has the ability to control deformation, dynamic response, wear, corrosion
etc.

6. FGM also provides the opportunities to take the benefits of different material
systems e.g., ceramics and metals.

7. Ceramic part has good thermal resistance, wear and oxidation (rust) resistance
whereas metallic part has superior fracture toughness, high strength and bonding
capability.

8. FGM has wide range of applications in dental and orthopedic applications for
teeth and bone replacement.

9. FGM are used in energy conversion devices. They also provide thermal barrier
and used as protective coating on turbine blades in gas turbine engine.

19
 7. LIMITATIONS OF FGM

7.1 GENERAL

In modern engineered structures pure metals or alloys are less frequently used as a
result of higher requirements and complexity of the applied materials. In order to
fulfill the expectations of constructors, new material combinations are designed
based on metals, ceramic materials and plastics. FGM provides a relative change
in terms of the properties of the materials over the distance and direction. Thus,
the FGM has a wide range of engineering applications and it is expected to
increase as the cost of material processing and fabrication processes are reduced
by improving processing techniques. In the case of functionally graded materials
disadvantageous sharp interfaces existing in a composite material are eliminated.
However, the subject area still requires further advanced research into both
characterization of their properties and their behavior under conditions resembling
operational conditions. It has to be highlighted that at present the production cost
of graded materials is relatively high but due to a tremendous interest in the
subject matter expressed worldwide as well as higher level of knowledge about
these materials, it should be reduced in the long term.

7.2 LIMITATIONS

There are some issues that need further study and to be resolved, mainly in the
following aspects:

1. A proper database of gradient material (including material system, parameters,

material preparation and performance evaluation) is to be developed.

2. Still need further research and examination on the physical properties of the
material model. Microscopic structure and the quantitative relationship between
preparation conditions to be established in order to accurately and reliably predict
the physical properties of graded materials.

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3. Research should focus on variation of gradient material with respect to thermal
stress relaxation of the material as well as keep the road open to variety of
engineering applications.

4. Still need to improve the continuum theory, quantum (discrete) theory,

percolation theory and micro-structure model, and rely on computer simulation of
the material properties for theoretical prediction particular.

5. Functionally gradient materials prepared are samples of small size, simple

structure. More practical valued materials still need to be developed.

6. The total preparation costs are high.

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 8. CONCLUSIONS
Functionally graded material is an excellent advanced material that will
revolutionize the manufacturing world. There are a number of hurdles for
realizing this objective.Lots of studies have been conducted on behavior of
functionally graded materials and the literature is very rich on this because
of the wide areas of application of this novel material.Functionally graded
materials are very important in engineering and other applications but the cost
of producing these materials makes it prohibitive in some applications.This
study presents an overview on FGM, its Characteristics, various fabrication
methods and its wide applications. A review of various investigations properties
classifications applications is to be done in this study. An attempt is made to show
the various theories used for analysis of FGM materials used in plates and beams.
These theories are useful in various aspects of civil and structural engineering.
This study is helpful to understand the nature of the functionally graded materials.
FGM marks the emergence of modern material design into ideas for the
development of new materials. Research, development and application of FGM
materials have the current topic and have greater role in the field of aerospace
engineering and structural engineering

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[4] K. Swaminathan et al. “Thermal Analysis of FGM Plates – A Critical Review

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