For simplicity, let's start with binary composites:

Component A, with Young's modulus Ea and volume fraction fa;

Component , with Young's modulus Eb and volume fraction fb!
"he simplest mi#ing rule was developed by $iener %e!g!
&
' that calculated the effective property of
parallel slabs, and the arrow indicates stress direction!

%a' corresponds to the maximum possible overal property from a composite %arithmetic average'
E(faEa)fbEb
%b' corresponds to the minimum possible overal property from a composite
b
b
a
a
E
f
E
f
E
+ =
1
An improvement is to assume the coated*sphere geometry, according to +ashin and ,htri-man
.
!
/t's applicable to isotropic materials!
/f we assume Ea0Eb, then the lower value corresponds to Eb*material is in the core and Ea*
mateiral is the coating; this e1uation is also called the 2a#well*3arnett formula!
a
a
a b
b
a
E d
f
E E
f
E E

+ =
1
min
"he upper value corresponds to Ea*material is in the core and Eb*material is the coating! "he
actual modulus stays between these two limiting cases!
b
b
b a
a
b
E d
f
E E
f
E E

+ =
1
max
where d is the dimensionality!
Another famous formula is the ruggeman's symmetric mi#ing rule, which is based on the
structure of dilute spherical inclusions!
0
2 2
=
+

+
+

E E
E E
f
E E
E E
f
b
b
b
a
a
a
+ere . is related to the depolari4ation factor of sphere %&56'! /f the inclusion shape is ellipsoid or
others, we should replace . with appropriate values!
"here are also some other mi#ing rules, but there're much more comple#! /f you are interested,
please ta-e a loo- at:
6*7
Also you might find other references yourself!
&! 8ar--ainen, 8! 8!, ,ihvola, A! +! 9 :i-os-inen, 8! /! Effective permittivity of mi#tures:
numerical validation by the F;"; method! Geoscience and Remote Sensing, IEEE
Transactions on 38, &6<6*&6<= %.<<<'!
.! +ashin, >! 9 ,htri-man, ,! A ?ariational Approach to the "heory of the Effective
2agnetic @ermeability of 2ultiphase 2aterials! Journal of Applied Physics 33, 6&.7*6&6&
%&AB.'!
6! 2ilton, 3! $! The Theory of Composites %eds! Ciarlet, @! 3!, /serles, A!, 8ohn, C! ?! 9
$right, 2! +!' %Cambridge Dniversity @ress, .<<.'!
E! $alpole, F! G! Hn bounds for the overall elastic moduli of inhomogeneous systems**/!
Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 14, &7&*&B. %&ABB'!
7! $alpole, F! G! Hn bounds for the overall elastic moduli of inhomogeneous systems**//!
Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 14, .=A*6<& %&ABB'!