Residual stress analysis of functionally gradient materials

Functionally gradient materials (FGM) are new engineering materials without fully understanding. One important aspect in mechanical analysis of FGM is to determine a gradient distribution that finally results in maximum therm al stress relaxation. In this paper, numerical analysis by finite element m ethod and experimental analysis by Moire interference method were carried o ut to study the stress distribution in FGM. Much attention was paid on the edge effect stresses in the coating/substrate structures, and their depende nce on the different gradient distribution of the new kind of composite mat erials. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.