Integrating MIL and Mori–Tanaka methods for microstructural analysis and mechanical behavior prediction in heterogeneous materials

This paper explores heterogeneous materials, investigating their intricate nature characterized by structural and property variations across length scales. These variations, stemming from a variety of phases and structural constituents, lead to orientation-dependent properties, and challenge material isotropy assumptions. The present work focuses on unraveling mechanical behavior for material selection and predictive modeling. More specifically, this paper proposes a strategy for micromechanical analyses integrating the Mori–Tanaka (M–T) homogenization model and the Mean Intercept Length (MIL) morphology-based method. The initial analysis examines the impact of both pore shape and distribution on microstructural characterization, replicating isotropic and anisotropic conditions for certain scenarios. MIL proves effective for microstructure orientation analysis, regardless of porosity. Subsequently, the M–T method is applied to estimate Young’s modulus, and its relationship with pore shape, orientation, and volume fraction is investigated. This investigation into Young’s modulus provides valuable insights into the proposed framework’s capability to uncover the intricate relationship between microstructural features and macroscopic properties within heterogeneous materials. The overall framework presented in this paper holds promise for practical applications in predicting properties in real materials using micro-CT images, contributing to a deeper understanding of these complex materials and their behavior.