The present invention relates to relates to a method of optimizing a plastic composition formed from a plurality of resin feedstocks. A plurality of resin feedstocks are provided. The plurality of resin feedstocks are blended to form the plastic composition. One or more properties of the plastic composition, including radiation absorption, radiation transmission, gas evolution, radiation fluorescence, or melting properties, are measured. The ratio of the plurality of resin feedstocks being blended into the plastic composition is adjusted, based on said measuring, to form an optimized plastic composition. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

An electronic device is for identifying the plastic composition of an unknown plastic object. The electronic device may include a spectrometer configured to receive the unknown plastic object and generate a MIR reflectance spectra characteristic of the unknown plastic object, a memory configured to store a multi-spectral fingerprint library for plastic types, and a processor coupled to the spectrometer and the memory. The processor is configured to analyze in real-time the MIR reflectance spectra characteristic of the unknown plastic object, and identify the plastic composition based upon at least comparing the MIR reflectance spectra characteristic of the unknown plastic object to the multi-spectral fingerprint library. The processor may be configured to expand the fingerprint library upon initial baseline characterization.

Systems are provided for measuring absorbed humidity in a composite material, including an item of composite material which includes a plurality of plies of material consolidated through the action of pressure and heat, wherein each ply of material is formed from a resin matrix reinforced with a fiber material, an insert embedded in the composite material, which is positioned in an interface zone between a first and a second ply of material, and in which at least one cavity is formed, in fluid communication with first and second ply of material, and an ambient humidity sensor positioned inside the cavity, capable of providing a signal indicating the humidity content in the atmosphere present inside the cavity. Corresponding methods are also provided.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying material types of spatial objects characterized in that the method comprising obtaining an acoustic signal from each identified object by deforming the objects mechanically, recording said acoustic signal and comparing it to an acoustic model being obtained on the basis of analysis of reference objects of multiple material types. The present invention also relates to a device for identifying material types of spatial objects, comprising a deformation chamber (K), a mechanical deformation system (F), at least one electro-acoustic transducer (1), an acoustic signal recording assembly (2) and a data processing unit (3) with installed acoustic model being obtained on the basis of analysis of reference objects of multiple material types.

The present invention provides a method for relative quantitative analysis of a polymer using MALDI mass spectrometry, the method comprising the steps of: (S1) electro-spraying a solution containing a polymer sample and a matrix through a mask to prepare a plurality of polymer specimens with a thickness variation of 30% or less according to the concentration of the polymer sample; (S2) irradiating the respective plurality of polymer specimens with laser to obtain MALDI mass spectra; and (S3) creating a quantitative calibration curve from peak results of the MALDI mass spectra by using a signal of the polymer sample.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method of use thereof for compressive creep testing of materials in the presence of fluids. The apparatus includes a cantilever arm connected on a first end to a cantilever pivot and including a weight holder on a second end; a first platen connected to the cantilever arm via a swivel located between the first end and the second end; a reservoir; and a second platen disposed within the reservoir and positioned to secure a sample between the first platen and the second platen when a force is applied via the weight holder and the first platen to a sample. Electrical properties of the material can be monitored and measured during the compression creep testing.

Machine for testing thermal resistance of plastic materials, comprising a tank configured, in use, to be filled for example with a heat-transfer fluid; a heating coil for heating the heat-transfer fluid; a temperature sensor generating a temperature signal of the heat-transfer fluid; and a control unit calculating a degradation index of the heat-transfer fluid on the basis of the temperature signal. In particular, the degradation index is calculated by determining the temperature range associated with the temperature signal, updating the corresponding partial heating time, and calculating the weighted sum of the partial heating times previously saved in memory and pertaining to different temperature ranges. Upon reaching one or more thresholds, signals are generated which indicate the need to replace the heat-transfer fluid.

Machine and method for hot testing test pieces made of a thermoplastic polymer, in which the test pieces are immersed in a tank full of a heat transfer liquid which is heated; a fan generates, immediately above the tank, an air flow to carry away volatile substances emitted by the tank and the air flow is made to pass through a filtering cartridge housed removably inside a first chamber delimited by a casing, which is provided with an inlet opening, that faces towards the tank and is arranged flush with or immediately above an upper perimetral edge of the tank; the air flow is made to pass sequentially through at least three filtering elements, which are arranged hydraulically in series, including: a pre-filter; at least one activated carbon filter; and a HEPA filter; an hour counter signals when the time has come to replace the filtering cartridge.

An oil resistance test method for an electronic device is provided. At least one type of resin material is provided on at least a portion of an outer surface of the electronic device. The oil resistance test method includes: setting a test temperature; and immersing the electronic device in a water-soluble cutting oil in an atmosphere of the set test temperature. This cutting oil contains a mineral oil and a surfactant, and exhibits a milky-white appearance when diluted with water. The oil resistance test method further includes: determining, based on an electrical characteristic of the electronic device, whether or not the electronic device has been degraded by the cutting oil; and estimating, based on a total immersion time of the electronic device in the cutting oil until degradation of the electronic device is detected, a life of oil resistance of the electronic device.

The present invention relates to improved methods for measuring the renewable bio-source carbon content and renewable bio-content in renewable bioplastic resins produced in manufacturing plants. In particular, the present invention relates to measuring the renewable bio-source carbon content in renewable bioplastic resins produced during a production run by correlating measured δ.sup.13C values are measured by iTOC-CRDS and CM-CRDS with actual renewable bio-source carbon content measurements (AMS or LSC .sup.14C) via a linear regression.