Multiple instances of a multi-material part (ABAQUS)

Hi there,

I would like to assemble 9 times the exact same part (3x3 with linear pattern). This part has different materials on its different regions and I would like to keep them in the assembly. To keep the instances connected, I merged them but this creates a new part automaticaly instanced in the assembly, without the initial properties of the original part (that is repeated 9 times), being instanced dependently or not.

Does anyone know how to keep the properties applied, rather than reapplying the properties to each regions of each 9 instances in the final assembly?

Thank you in advance