A Finite Element Analysis of Crack Propagation in Interface of Aluminium Foil - LDPE Laminate During Fixed Arm Peel Test.

This thesis deals with numerical simulation of a peel test with an Aluminium foil and Low Density Poly-Ethylene (LDPE) laminate. This work investigates the effects of the substrate thickness and studies the influences of interfacial strength and fracture energy of the cohesive zone between the Aluminium and LDPE. This study evaluates the proper guidelines for defining cohesive properties. A numerical cohesive zone model was created in ABAQUS. Continuum tensile tests were performed to extract LDPE material properties. The aluminium properties were found in literature. After acquiring material parameters, the simulation continued with studying the effects of changing interfacial strength, geometric parameters and fracture energy. The results were obtained in the form of root rotations and the force displacement response was studied carefully. It was validated by comparison to the traction separation curve