Functionally graded materials (FGM) have a wide range of applications and domestic R&D enthusiasm is high

With the deepening of research, the preparation processes for functionally graded materials have also become more diversified, including self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS), dry spraying + temperature gradient sintering, centrifugal casting, plasma spraying, direct liquid film formation, thin film Infiltration molding, particle co-sedimentation, vapor deposition, additive manufacturing (AM) and other processes.

Functionally graded materials have spatially graded pores, continuously changing components, and unique microstructures. They can maintain material properties and avoid part failure under extreme environmental conditions. Compared with traditional composite materials, functionally graded materials have the advantages of high reliability and stable performance. In recent years, with the breakthroughs in related technologies and the upgrading of downstream demands, the application fields of functionally graded materials have continued to expand, and currently involve biomedicine, energy, Marine, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, aerospace, semiconductor optoelectronics, national defense industry, construction, nuclear industry and other fields.

With the expansion of application fields, the amount of functionally graded materials is growing rapidly. However, the traditional preparation process has complex procedures, long preparation cycles, and difficult to control the morphology, making it difficult to meet the preparation needs of customizable and complex-shaped products. The additive manufacturing method can manufacture highly complex parts and is the best alternative to traditional manufacturing processes. In recent years, the use of additive manufacturing methods to manufacture functionally graded materials has become one of the research and development hotspots at home and abroad.

According to the “2023-2028 Functional Gradient Materials (FGM) Industry Market In-depth Research and Investment Prospects Forecast Analysis Report released by the Industrial Research Center 》 shows that the functionally graded materials that can be manufactured by additive manufacturing include ceramics, plastics, metals, composite materials, etc. At present, domestic research mainly focuses on metal/metal, metal/ceramics, etc., including titanium-based gradient alloys, zirconia-based gradient Functional materials, etc. my country has a high enthusiasm for research and development of functionally graded materials. Relevant R&D institutions or enterprises include South China University of Technology, Jilin University, Xinjinghe, Aerospace Tianma, Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc.

Functionally graded materials (FGM), also known as tilted functional materials, are a new type of composite material that is a composite of two or more materials and has a continuous gradient change in composition and structure. There are many ways to classify functionally graded materials. According to different application fields, functionally graded materials can be divided into nuclear functionally graded materials, optical functionally graded materials, biological functionally graded materials, chemical functionally graded materials, etc.; according to different gradient factors, functionally graded materials are further divided into It is a composition gradient change type, crystallinity gradient change type, orientation degree gradient change type, phase morphology gradient change type, etc.

Industry analysts said that as a new functional material, functionally graded materials have unique properties and are widely used in aerospace, energy, biomedicine, national defense and military industries, etc. It has a wide range of applications. In the context of manufacturing upgrading, the application demand for functionally graded materials will be further released, and the industry has broad prospects for development. There are various manufacturing processes for functionally graded materials, among which additive manufacturing has obvious advantages. With the deepening of research, the proportion of additive manufacturing will further increase.