On the relationship between the properties and the microstructure of multiphase materials

The electrical resistivity, Youngs modulus of elasticity and the thermal expansion coefficient of multiphase materials depend on their microstructure, that is on the geometry and geometrical arrangement of their phases. The present contribution in four parts deals with the derivation and experimental confirmation of quantitative relationships between properties and microstructure. It is introduced by summarizing the state-of-the-art to the problem and considering the microstructure description quantitatively from data measured by quantitative microstructural analysis. The derivation of microstructure-property-equations follows providing the interrelationship between the microstructure of two phase materials including porous materials and their electrical resistivity, Youngs modulus of elasticity and thermal expansion coefficient. Calculated properties are compared to those measured for two phase materials including porous materials. (orig./WBU)