Abstract

This chapter introduces the concept of FGMs, along with a review of applications of such materials, their history, and the “traditional” methods used for the production of such a class of materials. The problems and the potential of this class of materials within additive manufacturing (printing of metals), with particular reference to 4-D printing, would be the subject of the later chapters. The chapter also provides a targeted exposition of the methods used to process FGMs with a focus on powder processing-based methods due to their essential role in additive manufacturing.