Fabrication of ZrO₂/Ni functionally graded materials based on components distinct different magnetic properties

ZrO₂/Ni functionally graded materials was fabricated via slip-casting under a gradient magnetic field (0.5 T/m), owing to their distinct difference in magnetic properties. The products were characterized by X-ray energy dispersion spectroscope, optical micrography and X-ray diffraction. It is found that components are graded distributed along the direction of magnetic field gradient, due to the distinct different magnetic forces between Ni and ZrO₂ particles. The quantitive components distribution is established among the grain size of particles, saturated magnetization and the applied magnetic field gradient.