Thermoplastics

The experience acquired over more than 20 years by a multidisciplinary research team in both the transformation and characterisation of thermoplastic materials and their composites enables us to provide a comprehensive service in this field.

We specialise in the additivation and modification of plastics using compounding techniques with all types of additives, loads and reinforcements.

We make use of specialised tools to select the most appropriate material and to perform the finite element-based structural calculations required to determine the design and geometry of the part.

The equipment in our laboratories enables us to fully identify and characterise the materials developed using various analytical and testing techniques, including mechanical and thermal characterisation, identification techniques, determination of the physical-chemical properties and rheological characterisation.

Likewise, it also enables us to process plastic materials and thermoplastic composites on a pilot plant scale using various transformation technologies. The processes covered included various injection techniques (conventional, sandwich or co-injection, bimaterial), thermoshaping, rotational moulding, extrusion or the mixing and additivation processes typically involved in the various stages of compounding and compound production.

We research and develop new materials for active packaging, usually by modifying and additivating the packaging material such that it provides compounds to protect the foodstuff or absorbs those which lower its quality.

We also have a torsional rheometer, which enables us to perform rheological studies, and a microcompounder to develop mixtures and compounds on a very small scale and to characterise their rheology.

We undertake research in the field of bioplastics (obtained from natural sources) and biodegradable materials. We assess the biocompatibility of biomaterials which may come into contact with the human body.

Desarrollamos nuevas aplicaciones empleando los materiales de cambio de fase (PCM), para almacenamiento óptimo de energía térmica.

We develop new applications involving phase-change materials (PCMs) for the optimal storage of thermal energy.

All the above enables us to collaborate with sectors as wide-ranging as automotive, transport, packaging, electrical/electronics, agricultural, textile or biomedical, amongst others.

The main lines of activity for this research team are as follows:

• Compounding and additivation
• Additives
  • Loads
  • Nanoparticles
  • Fibres
• Active packaging
• Bioplastics (materials obtained from natural sources)
• Biodegradable materials
• Phase-change materials
• Thermoplastic composites
• Calculation and design of plastic parts
• Thermoplastic Fireproofing
• Transformation processes:
  • Injection: conventional, bimaterial, co-injection, mini-injection
  • Extrusion
  • Rotational moulding
  • Thermoshaping
  • Compression
  • Mixers
  • Film pressing
  • Equipment for thread production and stretching
• Materials characterisation
  • Mechanical
  • Rheology
  • Physical-chemical
  • Barrier properties
  • Migrations
  • Biocompatibility