Random dispersion model of two-dimensional size distribution of second-phase particles

A simulation model of the discrete two-dimensional size distribution (2-DSD ) has been proposed based on a probability density function (PDF) of the th ree-dimensional size distribution (3-DSD) for spherical particles which are randomly dispersed in space. The mono-dispersed system, as well as the exp onential, the Rayleigh, the log-normal, and the pseudo-normal distributions are chosen as the PDF of the 3-DSD. The proposed 2-DSD model is applied to the estimation of the mean value and volume fraction of particles with a h ypothetical microscopic analysis. The estimated values of the mean value an d the area fraction are assessed as a function of the area of the limited f ield of view and the measured number of sections. (C) 2001 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd All rights reserved.