  In this contribution a method is introduced that allows for a linkage between the process-induced structural damage and the fracture behaviour. Based on an anisotropic elastic material model, different modelling approaches for initial damage effects are introduced and compared. The approaches are applied to remote laser cut carbon fibre reinforced polymers in order to model various thermally induced damage effects like chemical decomposition, micro-cracks and delamination. The dimensions of this heat affected zone are calculated with 1D-heat conduction. In experiment and simulation milled and laser cut specimens with different process parameters are compared in order to quantify the impact of the cutting technology on the fracture behaviour. For this purpose open hole specimens were used. 
Analysis of process-induced damage in remote laser cut carbon fibre   reinforced polymers