Micromechanics

Micromechanics is the study of composite material behavior wherein the interaction of the
constituent materials is examined in detail as part of the definition and behavior of the
heterogeneous composite material.
Macromechanics
Macromechanics is the study of composite material behavior wherein the material is assumed
homogeneous and the effects of the constituent materials are detected only as averaged apparent
properties, otherwise called effective properties, of the composite material.
Homogeneous
A homogeneous body has uniform properties throughout; thus, the material properties of the body
are independent on the position within the body.
Heterogeneous
A heterogeneous body has non-uniform properties throughout; thus, the material properties of the
body are dependent on the position within the body.
Isotropic
An isotropic body has material properties that are the same in all directions at a given point within a
body; thus, the material properties are independent of orientation at a specified point within the
body.
Orthotropic
An orthotropic body has material properties that are the same in each of three orthogonal planes at
a given point within a body; thus, the material properties are dependent on orientation at a
specified point within the body.