Formkoerper aus keramischem, pulvermetallurgischem oder Verbundwerkstoff und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung

A shaped article of ceramic, powder metallurgical or composite material has a material compsn. and/or internal structure which varies continuously or discontinuously in one, two or all three spatial directions. Also claimed is prodn. of the above shaped article by (a) preparing one or more mouldable materials from the starting powder(s); (b) continuously or discontinuously processing the mouldable material(s) in one, two or all three spatial directions (in accordance with the desired final property gradation) to obtain a shaped body, and (c) hardening. ADVANTAGE - The article has one or more property gradients in any desired direction and no geometric restrictions are placed on the article size and shape.