Functionally Graded Materials: Processing Techniques and Applications

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) revealed an immense growth with worldwide demand. This paper describes a brief review of the feasibility of production methods (solid, liquid, and gaseous methods) chosen for FGMs, with the aid of schematic diagrams. Advanced FGM fabrication techniques such as additive manufacturing and laser deposition, which have been gaining importance are also explored. The evolution of fabrication techniques is correlated to the industrial requirements along with their merits and limitations. This review article also highlights some advanced engineering applications observed for FGMs. Comparing various fabrication technologies employed for FGMs, centrifugal casting was the most established and economically feasible method that met vast industrial product demands like hybrid and double-graded FGMs. Powder metallurgy was preferred for bulk gradation in spite of their sharp transitions across layers. Advanced FGM fabrication techniques like additive manufacturing, electrochemical gradation, and laser deposition techniques improved critical production parameters like precision, gradation control, etc. Thermal spraying successfully improved the heat insulation performance of FGMs.