• FGM describes a functional material that, due to its special properties, can be used wherever material resonance or vibration limits the precise function of active components. • Compared to building materials, the primary characteristic of FGM is not its mechanical strength, but its very specific acoustic properties, which can be specifically influenced to alter the macroscopic characteristics of active components attached to it. • FGM combines the intended use and application of passive damping with specific design options for components. A particular advantage of gradient materials (FGMs) is that their material properties vary with the thickness or volume of the material itself.