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et al.. Nafion®-sepiolite composite membranes for improved proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance.

International audienceThe reinforcement of poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) provided by sepiolite particles has been analysed. Stress-strain measurements at equilibrium, as well as swelling experiments, were carried out on the unfilled and filled polymers. The state of dispersion of the filler was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, an evaluation of chain orientation by infrared dichroism reveals a high orientation level in the filled system. The strong interaction between the two phases, combined with a good dispersion and a high shape factor of these clay particles, explain the improvement of the mechanical properties of the composites with respect to the pure polymer

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International audienceWith the aim of providing better control of shooting experiments performed with replicas of prehistoric projectiles, we have conducted an instrumental archaeology study on the efficiency of prehistoric projectile points by placing emphasis on their adhesion and ballistic characteristics. In order to avoid any reproducibility problems, hafting adhesives were made with controlled mixtures of commercial rosin (also called ‘colophany’) and beeswax added as a plasticizer. An original experimental device has been developed to instrument a bow, allowing the control of both the trajectories and the velocities of the different shoots. In the course of an experimental programme on Sauveterrian microliths from the Mesolithic period of the South of France, the experimental system was applied to composite replica projectile tips of Mesolithic hunters. Arrows being shot at transparent targets were filmed in order to evaluate the penetration length and residual damage. Interestingly, this study reveals that the properties of the mixture are highly dependent on the velocity of the arrows. It was shown that—contrary to previous experiments that usually used a mixture in which rosin predominates— the most efficient adhesive is made of 70 wt% beeswax with only 30 wt% rosin. This result is of great importance for improving further shooting experiments and overcoming the problems frequently mentioned due to the loss of the flint armatures before they reach the animal target, or at least before penetration. When using this appropriate mixture, the lateral armatures are resistant to most of the shots. Experiments performed on real boars’ flesh have also shown that the presence of lateral microliths allows the laceration inflicted on the target to be enlarged. Finally, a critical parameter has been identified, which is the location on the arrow of the microlithic element

International audienceBlends of rosin and beeswax were studied in terms of their thermal and mechanical behaviors. Their glass transition and α relaxation were both characterized, either by differential scanning calorimetry or by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. In this study, we focused particularly on the impact of the microstructure on the mechanical properties, as studied by compression, shear, and nanoindentation tests. It is shown that at room temperature, these blends exhibited a viscous behavior in both the elastic and plastic regimes. From these measurements, a superplastic behavior was highlighted for blends with more than 60 wt % rosin. This superplastic behavior constitutes a real new potential in the mechanical reliability of adhesives based on rosin, which are more generally known for their very brittle behavior. As a result, it should open the way for the design of new shapes

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