Functionally graded material (FGM) would provide a gradient of microstructure and properties along the entire component owing to smooth variation of material composition. Even though a large number of publications on mechanics of FGM exist, processing of FGM to manufacture functional engineering components remains an area which requires further research endeavor. Due to inherent physics involved in laser-based metal additive manufacturing like direct metal deposition (DMD), it has a great prospect to fabricate FGM components. While these techniques have gained heightened research attention, in recent times, for processing of engineering components, there is hardly any attempt to tailor the material composition and properties using additive manufacturing.

Direct application of the proposed technology would be in the field of IC engines with reduced heat loss during combustion processes leading to reduced fuel consumtion, improved thermal effieciency and exhaust emission. This will finally result in curtailment of warming of ambient atmosphere and environmental pollution.