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The Materials Laboratory has among its main objectives that of providing a tool for daily teaching, research and consultancy activities towards third parties, in the context of various issues related to materials engineering and in particular to the processing and characterization of materials, especially those based on polymers (as is or multicomponent). To this end, the laboratory is equipped with various instruments, ranging from material conditioning, processing by extrusion or compression molding, rheological-mechanical characterization as well as analysis of the behavior (light stability, weather resistance) of conventional and composite materials subjected to accelerated aging.
The main lines of research focus on the preparation and characterization of polymeric systems as such and/or multicomponent (blends, composites) with particular attention to biopolymers (biodegradable and/or compostable and typically obtained from renewable sources), to “green” composites with lower environmental impact (typically biopolymeric based, loaded with organic-natural lignocellulosic fillers) and to nanocomposites, for multiple applications (especially in the packaging, furnishing and automotive sectors), as well as to paper and/or polymeric systems for packaging for which activities related to a research project funded by PO-FESR Sicilia 2014-2020 funds are currently underway.
Xenon Tester for accelerated aging, light stability and weather resistance tests “Q-Lab Q-Sun Xe1”, equipped with a 1800 W Xenon lamp to simulate the solar radiation spectrum, digital system for setting and controlling temperature and irradiance, water spray system, direct nebulization on the samples, dedicated filter to improve the simulation of exposure to direct sunlight;
Single screw extruder “ThermoScientific Haake Polylab QC” equipped with flat extrusion head and calendering unit, for the production of thick polymer-based film;
“ThermoScientific Haake Mars III” Rotational Rheometer, for the measurement of rheological properties in shear flow and characterised by high reliability thanks to the “drag-cup” type motor and the CTC (Controlled Test Chamber) type chamber;
Electromechanical universal testing machine “MP Strumenti-Wance ETM 503”, 5 kN capacity frame, load cells from 50 N to 5 kN, equipped for carrying out tensile tests and measuring the friction coefficient;
Manual table-top press for compression moulding “Carver 3850CE”, maximum load 12 tons, with closed circuit cooling system;
“SalvisLab VC20” vacuum oven, for conditioning materials preparatory to subsequent tests or processes;
“Giuliani IG/FM” manual table-top die-cutting machine, for the production of polymer and paper samples, etc.;
Analytical balance “Kern ABJ120”, accuracy 0.1 mg
The laboratory is able to offer various external services, which can be briefly described and grouped in the processing of polymer-based systems, in the determination of the main rheological and mechanical properties of polymeric and/or composite systems, in the evaluation of the behavior following prolonged exposure to sunlight and water.
Prof. Marco Morreale marco.morreale@unikore.it
The LIMA Laboratory is located within the MARTA research center in the Santa Panasia Scientific Center of the University of Enna “Kore”.
