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Three layers film shaped by thermocompression of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer and polycarbonate have been analyzed in dynamic mechanical thermal analysis in tensile mode. They present two peaks as the film is loaded perpendicularly to the layers and three peaks as the film is loaded in parallel to the layers. Numerical computations confirm that the origin of this peak is not related to a mechanical issue such as the transmission of the imposed deformation from one layer to the other. Using this method, it is demonstrated that this third peak can only be obtained assuming a material transition with its own behavior between layers. Tan δ measurements provide a simple and useful experimental tool to understand more about the interfacial zone in polymer blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of inclusions in soft material is of great interest, especially in the medical field. Traditionally, a biopsy exam is performed after palpation, when necessary. In the present work, a potentially quantitative method, via monitored indentation, is used to mimic palpation. This method consists in investigating the relaxation and stress‐free relaxation responses to an indentation test performed on a silicone block with an inclusion. The aim of the study is to evaluate how a difference in position, size and adhesion of the inclusion can influence the response of the samples to monitored indentation. A finite element model is constructed to conduct comparative studies. The hyper‐viscoelastic parameters of the silicone have been identified experimentally. Results from the simulations showed that the indicators measured during monitored indentation, especially during the stress‐free relaxation phase, are sensitive to adhesive inclusions, while they provide little information regarding their non‐adhesive counterparts. Depths and sizes for which adhesive inclusions are more likely to be detected have been identified. These results are encouraging but are conducted on polymer material and a rigid inclusion; nevertheless, they suggest that the non‐destructive measure of the stress‐free relaxation response of a tissue may help practicians to quantitatively characterize the nature of a nodule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT As most thermoset material, phenolic molding compound (PMC) wastes are an environmental problem. Very few recycling solutions have been proposed so far for this type of material. A mechanical recycling method to valorize these materials is proposed in this work. It relies on the use of phenolic waste as filler in thermoplastic. Such phenolic filler can increase mechanical properties (tensile, flexural) of the matrix, and be used in substitution of traditional particulate fillers such as calcium carbonate or talc. In this study, several morphological parameters influencing the final mechanical properties of a PMC-filled polypropylene (PP) micro-composite are studied, such as filler loading rate, particles size distribution of the filler, and interfacial adhesion between the filler and the matrix. Some structural parameters are also studied and linked with mechanical properties, such as dispersion of the filler and crystallinity of the matrix. Finally, the properties of PMC-filled PP are compared with CaCO3- and talc-filled PP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45849. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]