Particle size distributions in functionally graded materials fabricated by the centrifugal solid-particle method

The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of the gradual particle size distributions in the functionally graded material (FGM) fabricated by centrifugal solid-particle method. FGM tubes were fabricated from plaster/corundum model materials containing five different particle sizes. The particle size distributions were directly determined by the extraction of the particles from the plaster matrix. The results reveal that the larger particles are located in the outer part of the tube. It was also found that the above phenomenon is affected by the G number as well as the mean volume fraction of particles. The experimental results fit well with the Stokes' law. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.