Contents


Preface

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are inhomogeneous materials, consisting of two (or more) different materials, engineered to have a continuously varying spatial composition profile. This is achieved by gradually varying the volume fraction of the constituent materials. The concept is to produce a composite material by varying the microstructure from one material to another material with a specific gradient. The materials can be designed for specific functions and applications. FGMs offer great promise in applications where the operating conditions are extreme. For example, wear-resistant linings for handling large, heavy, abrasive ore particles; rocket heat shields; heat exchanger tubes; thermoelectric generators; heat-engine components; plasma facings for fusion reactors; and electrically insulating metal/ ceramic joints. They are also ideal for minimizing thermomechanical mismatch in

This book is a result of contributions of experts from the international scientific community working in different aspects of functionally graded materials and structures and reports on the latest research and development findings on this topic through original and innovative research studies. Through its six chapters, the reader will have access to works related to processing, characteristics, modeling,

The book contains up-to-date publications from leading experts and the edition is intended to provide valuable recent information to the professionals involved in functionally graded materials and structure analysis and applications. The text is addressed not only to researchers, but also to professional engineers, students, and other experts in a variety of disciplines, both academic and industrial seeking to gain a better understanding of what has been done in the field recently, and what

I hope that the readers will find this book useful and inspiring by examining the

Lastly, I would like to thank all the authors for their excellent contributions in different areas covered by this book, and the IntechOpen team, especially the process manager Ms. Ivana Barac, for their support and patience throughout the publishing

**Dr. Farzad Ebrahimi**

Qazvin, Iran

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imam Khomeini International University,

recent developments in functionally graded materials and structures.

and applications of functionally graded materials and structures.

metal-ceramic bonding.

open problems are in this area.

process.
