One of the fabrication methods for functionally graded materials (FGMs) is a centrifugal solid-particle method, which is an application of the centrifugal casting technique. However, it is the difficult to fabricate FGMs containing nano-particles by the centrifugal solid-particle method. Recently, we proposed a novel fabrication method, which we have named the centrifugal mixed-powder method, by which we can obtain FGMs containing nano-particles. Using this processing method, Cu-based FGMs containing SiC particles and Al-based FGMs containing TiO₂ nano-particles on their surfaces have been fabricated. In this article, the microstructure and mechanical property of Cu/SiC and Al/TiO₂ FGMs, fabricated by the centrifugal mixed-powder method are reviewed.

Fabrication of Al-Al₃Ti functionally graded materials (FGMs) under the centrifugal force has recently attracted some attention. The controlled compositional gradient of the fabricated FGMs, the low cost of the process, and the good mold filling, are the main advantages of the centrifugal method (CM). Using the conventional CM techniques such as the centrifugal solid-particle method and centrifugal in-situ method, FGMs rings with gradually distributed properties could be achieved. As a more practical choice, the centrifugal mixed-powder method (CMPM) was recently proposed to obtain FGMs containing nano-particles selectively dispersed in the outer surface of the fabricated parts. However, if a control of the particles morphology, compound formulas or sizes, is desired, another CM technique is favored. As a development of CMPM, our novel reaction centrifugal mixed-powder method (RCMPM) has been presented. Using RCMPM, Al‑Al₃Ti/Ti₃Al FGMs with good surface properties and temperature controlled compositional gradient could be achieved. In this short review, this novel method will be discussed in detail and the effect of RCMPM processing temperature on the reinforcement particles morphology, size and distribution through the fabricated samples, will be reviewed.