Quantitative analysis of the particles distributions in reinforced composites

The subject of the study is development of a quantitative methodology for analyzing the structure of particle reinforced composites. The methodology is based on analytical representative volume element (ARVE) theory, which was developed to determine the effective properties of fiber reinforced composite materials. Further, it can be used for investigation of homogeneous materials. The developed methodology expands the scope of possible applications of ARVE theory to the following issues: (a) comparisons of composite materials of identical composition obtained through different technological processes, (b) assessment of the stability of the technology in the context of obtaining a material of uniform distribution of the reinforcing phase, (c) designation of a minimum area representative of the material, (d) for microscopic examination, detailed analysis of the impact of changes in process parameters on the structure of the composite, etc. The important elements of the developed methodology are the homogeneity and anisotropy parameters of the composite structure. Applied together, they provide additional opportunities to quantify the impact of the selected manufacturing/treatment process parameters on its structure. It is worth noting that the developed methodology is universal and can be applied at different levels, from the reinforcing phase concentration to the effective properties of composite materials.