why datasmith chang materials to instance without parent material?

According to the documentation (Using Datasmith with 3ds Max | Unreal Engine Documentation - under the Materials section)

“For each material in your 3ds Max scene, Datasmith creates a new Material Instance in your Unreal Engine Project. Each of these Material Assets is an instance of a Parent Material that Datasmith also creates in your Project, in the Materials/Master folder.”

The parent material should be located in the folder mentioned.