Numerical simulation study of the T‐peel behavior of coated fabric films used in inflatable structures

A simple and reliable finite element method was developed to analyze the T‐peel behavior of fabric coated with thin films. The material model was constructed simply by a tensile test of the coating and the coated fabric. In addition, the influence of the welding parameters on the mechanical properties of the welded zone was considered. Although some material characters were neglected, the material model was found to be convenient for engineering applications. The reliability was examined by a comparison of the numerical results with the experiments. A T‐peel test was conducted, and a camera configured with an optical microscope lens was used to observe the material flow from the thickness view. The load–displacement curve predicted by the simulation agreed well with the experimental results. Small voids were detected when the sample was near fracture. These places were consistent with the simulation results and showed where the maximum stress–strain was located. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41299.