A possibility to make near-net-shape functionally graded material (FGM) products has been examined. The FGM billets having a graded volume fraction of Al 3 Ni in thickness direction were machined from an Al-Al 3 Ni FGM thick-walled tube manufactured by a vacuum centrifugal method. Billets, which were set in the container for the backward extruding, were heated to 650 ЊC to 680 ЊC, at which temperature the FGM becomes a mixture of molten aluminum eutectic and solid intermetallics. Then, billets were extruded successfully to FGM cups by a semisolid forming, except at 650 ЊC. Residual bulky Al 3 Ni particles are found at higher temperature. Thus, an optimum operation temperature is found to be around 660 ЊC, because bulky Al 3 Ni particles transform to fine spheroidal or fibrous shape after the forming. The volume fraction of intermetallics at the bottom region of the cup was condensed more than 60 vol pct in a proper billet setting.

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