MICROMECHANICS FOR PARTICULATE-REINFORCED COMPOSITES

Abstract

A set of micromechanics equations for the analysis of particulate-reinforced composites is developed using the mechanics of materials approach. Simplified equations are used to compute homogenized or equivalent thermal and mechanical properties of particulate-reinforced composites in terms of the properties of the constituent materials. The microstress equations are also presented here to decompose the applied stresses on the overall composite to the microstresses in the constituent materials. The properties of a “generic” particulate composite as well as those of a particle-reinforced metal matrix composite are predicted and compared with other theories as well as some experimental data. The micromechanics predictions ate in excellent agreement with the measured values.