Analytical, numerical and experimental studies on effective properties of layered (2-2) multiferroic composites

An analytical model based on equivalent layered approach based on iso-field assumptions is proposed to evaluate the effective properties of layered multi-ferroic composites where three phases (piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and epoxy) are considered for homogenization. Also, a finite element (FE) analysis with periodic boundary conditions is carried out in the present work to determine the effective properties of multiferroics wherein interphase and geometric (shape and position) properties are considered. The simulated results based on the proposed analytical and numerical models are compared with exact matrix method available in the literature. Experiments are performed on multiferroic composites under magnetic loading to measure magneto-electric (ME) coupling constant and the results are compared with the simulated results. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the variations of the overall material behavior of layered composite with respect to piezoelectric and piezomagnetic poling/orientation directions. The outcome of the present study demonstrates the influence of poling and orientation of individual constituents on effective properties of multiferroic composites.