Effect of flake distribution on elastic properties of flake composites

Single-flake and multi-flake models of oriented flake reinforced composites have been constructed to evaluate the elastic properties of the composites . A "bundled matrix" concept was assumed to examine the effect of the flake distribution in the matrix on the longitudinal elastic modulus and Poisson 's ratio of the flake composites. The equations derived from the single-fla ke and multi-flake models anticipate that the longitudinal elastic properti es of the oriented flake composites vary with the flake distribution in the matrix, as well as indirectly with the geometry of the flake. The longitud inal elastic modulus of the composite is predicted to be lower than that de fined by the average rule of mixture for a wide range of flake volume fract ion except when the flake volume fraction is large enough to bundle all mat rix with flake.