Continuous Innovation
The activity of applied research is carried out in cooperation with clients with the aim of creating new technological partnerships and to develop timely and highly efficient solutions.
Great importance is then attached to basic research activities in cooperation with several universities through which SO.F.TER. gears
Structure
The SO.F.TER. Research Centre has an area of around 1,500 m2 and employs fifteen people i.e. researchers, laboratory analysts and employees.
It includes Laboratories dedicated to Quality Control, Research Laboratories and several Pilot Lines for the prototyping of new materials.
Equipment and tools
The SO.F.TER. Research Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and is therefore able to carry out the necessary analysis to design new materials and provide top class consulting and technical support services for the planning of new projects thus considerably reducing the time needed to develop and launch a new product.
Chemical-physical properties | Abrasimeter Glossmeter Volumetric Mass Balance IT Balance Compression set Colorimeter Water content (Karl Fisher) Dilatometer Durometer (ShA) Durometer (Rockwell hardness test) FT-IR (Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectrometry) Melt Flow Index Muffle Furnace Optical Microscope with electronic camera Ball Indentation Hardness Scratch Resistance test Capillary Rheometer Rheo Index Spectrophotometer UV Spectrophotometer for colorimetry Tension Set |
Mechanical properties | Flex Test (De Mattia, Rossflex) Dynamometer with climatic chamber Impact Resistance Test (IZOD/CHARPY) |
Thermal properties | DSC Differential Scansion Calorimeter HDT Heat Deflection Temperature TGA Thermo Gravimetric Analysis VICAT Softening Temperature |
Electrical properties | CTI Comparative Tracking Index Surface Resistivity |
Accelerated UV weathering | Thermostatic ovens UV-CON Accelerated UV weathering Xenotest Alpha |
Flame resistance | G.W.T. Glow Wire Test LOI Limited Oxigen Index Needle Flame Test Burning Test according to UL94 |
Prototyping equipment | Banbury 6,6 litres Calendering machine Brabender 30 D Extruder Twin screw extruder 25 D – 1.200 rpm Flat die extruder Double injection moulding machine |
Bitumen modification tests | Ring and ball test Penetration at 25°C Brookfield viscosity test Ductility test Tensile set Volatility |