An analytical expression is presented for the thermal stresses in orthotropic nonhomogeneous infinite plates with arbitrary nonhomogeneities both in elastic properties and coefficient of linear thermal expansion, and temperature variation through the thickness of the plate. Numerical calculations showing the effect of the nonhomogeneous thermal and elastic properties on the relaxation of the thermal stresses increasing by the orthotropic properties, are carried out for the case of exponentially or linearly varing thermal conductivity, Young's modulus and coefficient of linear thermal expansion through the thickness of the plate. An application of the numerical rusults to the design of functionally gradient materials (FGM) is discussed.