Spatial pattern analysis of second-phase particles in composite materials

The spatial distribution of second-phases is one of the most important factors affecting the mechanical properties of composite materials and therefore, the quantitative characterisation of such distributions is of prime importance in materials science. In this paper, we present a suitable procedure for analysing spatial distribution of particle centres held in three planar sections of an aluminium silicon carbide (Al/SiCp) composite material. We suggest that the spatial pattern analysis can be performed by following five consecutive steps: visualising spatial distribution, testing against complete spatial randomness, choosing and fitting appropriate stochastic models and testing goodness-of-fit. These steps show how statistical methods that rely on functional pattern descriptors and Monte Carlo simulations can be useful for characterising spatial distribution of the reinforcing particles in composite materials.