On the domain of applicability of the Mori-Tanaka effective medium theory
The Mori-Tanaka effective stiffness tensor is shown to be asymmetric in general. This tensor is proven to be symmetric for composites with isotropic inclusions, or with spherical reinforcements. Symmetry is also proven for the case of unidirectional fibers, of any shape and material. The Mori-Tanaka theory is shown to yield physically unacceptable predictions at the high concentration limit.