The MaTech-CCult group carries on research activities on polymers, composites and other materials, especially for applications in Construction Industry and Cultural Heritage Conservation.


The main areas of expertise of the group are:
•    Innovative Materials (cold-curing structural adhesives/matrices for FRP composites, organic-inorganic hybrids/nano-composites as adhesives and protective coatings, hyperbranched polymers, sustainable Phase Change Materials for eco-efficient mortars, bio-based polymers from agricultural and food waste) employed in Industry and Construction applications and in Cultural Heritage protection.
•    Thermal analyses (DSC, TGA, p-DSC) on solids and fluids to measure the “characteristic temperatures” of solid materials and fluids, the chemical reactions of materials and resins, the weight loss and transformation of materials during heating, the coefficients of thermal dilatation and thermal insulation.
•    Durability and prevision of long-term performance of materials, employing both accelerated aging tests and natural exposure measurements.
•    Transport properties: water absorption in materials for total immersion and capillarity rise; moisture absorption in materials; permeability to water vapor and oxygen.
•    Mechanical characterization in tensile, flexural, compression modes, also at moderate temperatures; dynamic-mechanical analysis in torsion mode; impact test with Charpy and Izod impact pendulum.
•    Surface properties: ShoreD and scratch hardness, color change, water-repellence.
•    Rheological characterization of fluids, to measure their viscosity, important for their application and process.
•    Morphological analysis, performed with Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM, and Optical Microscope with hot-stage, to study the modifications during liquid-solid transformation.

We available to collaborate to:
•    Perform Standard Tests (according to codes ASTM, ISO, EN) on solid materials and fluids, on commercial products and on experimental ones (Polymeric materials, Adhesives, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites; Construction materials: stone, wood, mortars, etc.).
•    Customize tests as required by companies, designers, professionals.
•    Supply know-how on characteristics and properties of materials, in particular their durability in specific environments.
•    Identify/produce innovative materials to solve specific requirements, especially in Constructions and Cultural Heritage fields.
•    Support colleagues from other disciplines and specializations in the characterization of polymers used in different applications.
•    Perform standard tests on different materials for business or Court consultancies.