NiAl-Al2O3 FGMs show excellent thermal shock properties and graceful,
serrated failure at high temperatures and strains. However, simple lam
inar structures invariably suffer from some degree of curvature at roo
m temperature. A residual strain minimization model previously shown t
o give good agreement with experiment is used to develop guidelines fo
r composite architectural design. Intuitively based structures utilizi
ng gradual changes in NiAl content may not be as useful. Composite app
lications and future design needs are discussed.