Mischkörper

Mischkörper is a German term that literally means 'mixed body' and is used in various scientific and technical contexts to denote an object composed of two or more substances or components. In materials science and engineering, a Mischkörper describes a heterogeneous or composite material in which matrix and inclusions (such as fibers, particles, or droplets) are combined to achieve properties not present in the separate constituents. Examples include polymer blends, metal‑matrix and ceramic‑matrix composites, and particle‑reinforced polymers. The components may be distributed at macroscopic or microscopic scales and may remain largely distinct, with the interfaces influencing strength, stiffness, thermal behavior, and failure mechanisms. In colloids and mixtures, the term can refer to dispersions where a dispersed phase is embedded in a continuous phase (emulsions, suspensions), where substances mix without forming new chemical bonds. Etymology and usage: from Misch (mixed) and Körper (body). The term is primarily used in German-language technical literature and often replaced by more specific terms like Verbundwerkstoff (composite material), Mischungsverhältnis (mixture ratio), or Gemisch depending on context. Related concepts include composite materials, mixtures, and colloids.