Polymer interfacial fracture simulations using cohesive elements

A family of cohesive elements is presented based on cohesive zone models to describe polymer interfacial fracture. Their capabilities are demonstrated in three case studies of interfacial failure. The first is a simulation of the t-peel test for the determination of adhesion between two elastomers. This case is characterized by large, inelastic deformation that is difficul t to model using classical fracture mechanics and analytic cohesive zone ap proaches. The formulation allows simulation of crack growth in the presence of large global strains and the identification of peak viscous loss zones in the peel arms. The second case study is the analysis of a compressive sh ear test to determine adhesion between a viscoelastic elastomer and a rigid substrate. An experimentally observed transition from stable to unstable f racture is described accurately by the model, providing appropriate cohesiv e zone parameters are established. The third example treats interfacial fai lure in a multilayer elasto-plastic polymer system. The approach illustrate s a capability to capture crack nucleation and propagation in systems with complex microstructures comprising of multiple layered phases and associate d interfaces. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.