review is provided of the use of analytical models and two dimensional (2D) and

three
dimensional (3D) microstructure based FEM models to accurately predict the prope
rties of
particle reinforced composite materials. It is shown that analytical models do n
ot account for
the microstructural factors that influence the mechanical behavior of the materi
al. 2D models
do capture the anisotropy in deformation behavior induced by anisotropy in parti
cle
orientation. The experimentally-observed dependence of Youngâ s modulus and tensile s
trength
is confirmed by the 2D microstructure-based numerical model. However, because of
the 2D
stress state, a realistic comparison to actual experimental values