Modeling of two-phase random composite materials by finite element, Mori-Tanaka and strong contrast methods

In this study, finite element, Mori-Tanaka and strong contrast modeling are carried out for the prediction of the effective thermal conductivity and elastic modulus of isotropic random two-phase composite materials with low fillers content. Effects of inclusions geometry (shape), volume fraction (1% and 3%) and properties contrast on the effective thermal conductivity and elastic modulus are analyzed. Our results show that finite element method could capture more details in the prediction of effective properties of the composite materials. On the other hand, Mori-Tanaka method is shown to be a fast as well as a valid alternative for the finite element modeling within a limited range of fillers geometries. Our results reveal that the strong contrast method based on statistical two-point correlation functions could not accurately describe the inclusions geometry effects. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.