FEM Modeling of Delamination in AS4/PEEK Thermoplastic Composites Under Mixed - Mode Bending Test/FEM MODELING OF DELAMINATION IN AS4/PEEK THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES UNDER MIXED--MODE BENDING TEST

Interfacial failure by delamination in the unidirectional AS4/PEEK laminated composite was simulated through this paper with a finite element method (FEM) based model developed with Comsol Multiphysics software. The mixed--mode bending (MMB) test was investigated numerically here after a successful validation of the model by comparing with experimental measurements of the load--displacement curve provided in the literature. The maximum delamination length of the specimens modeled, the corresponding von Mises stress distributions and the damage evolution function have been evaluated for different ratios between mode II strain energy rate and total strain energy rate [G.sub.II]/[G.sub.T] = 20, 50 and 80%.