A component of a gas foil bearing, having a plurality of material layers forming a composition gradient that defines a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second CTE that differs from the first CTE, wherein: the plurality of material layers include at least two dissimilar metals, plastics, or fiber filled metals or plastics, that are layered on top of each other; when the component is subject to heating, the component changes from a first shape to a second shape; and the component is a bearing sleeve.

A component of a gas foil bearing, having: a plurality of materials forming a composition gradient that defines a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and a second CTE that differs from the first CTE, wherein: the plurality of materials include one or more of different metals, plastics, or fibers; and the plurality of materials is formed with fluid or gas filled voids, so that when the component is subject to selected heating, the fluid or gas filled voids increase in temperature and the component changes from a first shape to a second shape.