In the recently published ‘ Fracture Behavior of Bio-Inspired Functionally Graded Soft-Hard Composites Made by Multi-Material 3D Printing: The Case of Colinear Cracks,’ researchers from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) further explore the impacts of functional gradients in materials related to numerous technical applications, like aerospace or medicine.

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In this study, the research team focuses on testing both stepwise and continuous gradients, pointing out that FGMs serve as ‘multi-phase’ composites which are supposed to fulfill mechanical, thermal, electrical requirements, and more.

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While FGMS can be applied to multiple disciplines, they are also used in the following:

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Thermal barrier coatings
Piezoelectric devices
Thermoelectric devices
Non-uniform pressurized cylinders
Dental implants
Biocompatible graded hydrogels
Soft robotics
Tissue engineering scaffolds FGMs are also seen in nature in hard tissue like bone and teeth and are used to advantage in modern applications as hard-soft interfaces can be eliminated—helping to avoid cracks, delamination, […]

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