Effects of forming process on composite mode I interlaminar fracture toughness

In order to compare and analyse the effect of two different kinds of forming process on composite mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, the DCB specimens were tested by using hypothesis inspeetion method. A finite element model was also used to simulate the crack propagation process. The results demonstrate that the average of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness from silicon rubber flexible mold forming is a bit higher than that from metal rigid mold forming. Howevers the variance of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness from the two groups shows no significant difference. The crack propagation process of the two forming process is similar. The established finite element model, which is identical to the test results, can predict the process of the crack expansion effectively.