A straightforward model is presented for analysing the effective permittivi
ties of layered dielectric sphere composites. Using the present model, the
effective permittivity, epsilon(eff), Of layered dielectric sphere composit
es can be deduced using classical two-phase dielectric mixture formulae in
two steps: first, the effective permittivity, epsilon(incl), of the inclusi
ons is calculated by taking the layered dielectric sphere inclusions as sub
-composites; and second, the effective permittivity, epsilon(eff), of the c
omposites is found by substituting the layered dielectric sphere inclusions
with homogeneous spheres whose permittivity is equal to epsilon(incl). The
present model is applicable to multi-layer sphere composites. Experiments
on resin-based hollow bead composites show that the present model accuratel
y predicts the effective permittivity of layered dielectric sphere composit
es. (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.