On equivalent inhomogeneities for particles with multiple-component interphases

A discussion of how the exiting formulas for the properties of equivalent inhomogeneities associated with Gurtin–Murdoch and spring layer models of interphases can be utilized to obtain the properties of equivalent inhomogeneities for multicomponent interphases. It is shown that in the case of energy equivalent definitions of equivalent inhomogeneities introduced recently by the present authors this can be achieved by direct superposition of the solutions associated with each component separately. General arguments are presented when such superposition is possible and it is argued that for some existing definitions of equivalent inhomogeneity this is not possible.