Abstract
Macroscopic loss factor for a sea-island type of polymer-based composite material is calculated by using the equivalent inclusion method combined with the Mori-Tanaka theorem. The effects of the loss factor and the elastic modulus of the island particle on the macroscopic loss factors of the composite are examined under the tensile applied stresses. The results obtained are compared with those calculated by the so-called modal strain energy method (MSE). Consequently, the present value of the macroscopic loss factor of the composite is good agreement with that of MSE result when the aspect ratio of particle becomes large, while both results are different from each other for smaller aspect ratio. Moreover, the contour maps of the macroscopic loss factor of the composite are calculated with respect to both magnitudes of the loss factor and the stiffness of the particle. The obtained map for smaller aspect ratio of the particle differs from that of MSE significantly.
