Chosen manufacture methods of Polymeric Graded Materials with electrical and magnetic properties gradation

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to present main results of Polymeric Graded Materials (PGMs) investigations realized in Silesian University of Technology, Division of Metallic and Polymeric Materials Processing. Methods of PGMs manufacture with electrical and magnetic properties gradation are mainly discussed. Design/methodology/approach: In short introduction general remarks on functionally graded materials (FGMs) and PGMs are presented. Next, methods used to prepare PGMs are presented together with physical basics determining composition, structure and properties gradation. Research methodology and chosen results showing PGMs structure and properties are also presented. Findings: Achieved results show that it is possible do design graded material structure and composition and to manufacture PGM that not precisely but in high extend meets designed requirements. The basic condition to accomplish this task is that physical basics of structure and composition gradient formation are known and relations between technological process parameters and ready material characteristics are properly applied. Research limitations/implications: Only chosen methods of PGMs manufacture are presented and only chosen PGMs characteristics are discussed. Practical implications: Presented technologies are widely used in industry to processing polymeric materials. Defined changes in parameters and properly designed composition will allow to utilize these technologies to PGMs manufacture. Ready parts with properties gradation may be applied in almost all industry branches. Few possible applications are presented in the text. Originality/value: New types of PGMs are described in the paper. Attention is paid mainly to materials with gradation of electrical and magnetic properties. The paper may be interesting for scientists involved in PGMs and for industry engineers looking for materials with electrical and magnetic properties gradation.