The document summarizes the research activities of Prof. A. Recca and his group at the University of Catania. Their work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of aromatic polymers, epoxy/thermoplastic blends, and RTM technology. Current projects include studies on copolyethersulphones and the development of toughened thermoset blends for aerospace composites. The group also works on new materials and processes with industrial partners. They have equipment for polymer synthesis, characterization, and composite processing like RTM.

1. Università di Catania
Dipartimento di Metodologie Fisiche e Chimiche per l’Ingegneria

2. Group people;
Past and current research activities;
New projects;
N j
Equipments;
Conclusions.

3. Prof.A.Recca
Prof A Recca (Full Professor);
Ing.Gianluca Cicala (Assistant Professor);
Ing.Giuseppe
Ing Giuseppe Recca (Contractor);
Ing.Michele Costa (Collaborator)
Ing.Giuseppe C i ldi (C ll b
I Gi Cristaldi (Collaborator);
)
Dott. Vincenzo Asarisi (PhD Student);
Ing.Ludovica Oliveri (PhD Student).

4. Synthesis and characterization of aromatic
p y
polymers;;
Epoxy/Thermoplastic blends;
RTM technology;
Auxetic materials
materials.

5. Studies on the synthesis and thermal properties of Copolyethersulphones
X O SO2 O O O SO2 X
n m
Molecular mass 5000 1200
5000-1200 Da
Composition ratio n:m 20:80;30:70;40:60;50:50;70:30;80:20
Reactive groups X Cl; OH;NH2;Ph
Ammine pendant groups have been also added in some cases

6. First step
Second step
Recca A. et al. (2006) Polymer. vol. 47, pp. 1861-1874.

7. Transetherification

8. Recca A. et al. (2006) Polymer. vol. 47, pp. 1861-1874.

9. 3
10
50:50 PES:PEES Cl Ended @290°C 4
10
3
10
G', G'' [Pa]
Pa-s]
η* [P
G
2
10
1
10
2
10
0,1
, 1 10 100
ω [rad/sec]

11. The study of epoxy/thermoplastic blends was
started in cooperation with ICI Composites first and
was continued with Cytec Engineered Materials;
y g
The aim was to develop thoughened thermoset
blends which could fulfill the aerospace
requirement of composite primary and secondary
structures;
str ct res
The approach was to use low molecular weight PES
copolymers bearing reactive and groups.

12. SEM pictures from Arrows Rool Hoop
Cicala G., Lo Faro C, Internal Report Cytec, 2001.

13. G.Cicala et al. unpubblished
results

14. 30/70 PES/PEES 40/60 PES/PEES
60/40 PES/PEES
SEM pictures of systems
With low molar mass (~ 5-6k).
G.Cicala et al. unpubblished
results

15. DGEBA/TGAP/MDEA
G. Cicala et al. Journal Of Polymer Engineering vol. 23 (3), p.163, (2003)

16. DGEBA/MDEA
3
10 No Modifier
15% C1
2 15% C2
10
15% C3
15% C4
1
10
-s]
η * [Pa-
0
10
-1
10
Modifier End Group Mn Gc [kJ/m2] Kc [Mpa m3/2]
-2 No Modifier ----------- ----------- 0,23
0 23 0,92
0 92
10
C1 Amine 5k 0,89 1,80
0 25 50 75 100 125 150
C2 Amine 9k 1,15 2,07
Time [min]
C3 Chlorine 10 k 0,52 1,39
C4 Hydroxyl 12 k 1,33 2,20
G.Cicala et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 101, p.250 (2006)

17. DGEBA/DDS 10 DGEBA/MDEA
1 No Modifier
No Modifier
15% wt Modifier 15% Wt Modifier
30% wt Modifier 30% Wt Modifier
1
Tan δ
Tan δ
0.1
0.1
0.01
0.01
60 90 120 150 180 60 120 180
Temperature [°C] Temperature [°C]
G.Cicala et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 94, p.361 (2004)

18. G.Cicala et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 88, p.3021 (2003)

19. G.Cicala et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 89, p.268 (2003)

20. Cod Tactix55
MY721 Modifier
e 6
1A Si No 0%
1B Si No 10%
1C Si No 30%
2A No Si 0%
2B No Si 10%
2C No Si 30%
G.Cicala et al. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 100, p.4880 (2006)

22. CH2OH
H3C
O H2 CH3 CH2OH
CH2OH
C CH3
O
O
C CH2OH
CH2OH
O H2 O CH OH
Parametri Variati:
O O
2
O H2 O CH3
H3C
C O
CH2OH O CH2 CH2OH
O H2
H2C
CH3
• Numero di generazione
H3C
CH2 C C CH2OH
H2 C
O CH3
O
O H2 O • Gruppi superficiali
CH2OH H2C O
O
O CH2OH
H3C CH2OH O
O
O H2
CH2OH • Massa molare
C CH3
CH2OH C H2 O
O H3C
H3C CH2OH
CH2OH

23. DGEBA/DDS
HPB1: 3a Generazione
HPB2: 4a Generazione
A.Recca et al Polym. Eng.and Sci. (2005) 45(2), 225.

24. DGEBA/DDS
A.Recca et al Polym. Eng.and Sci. (2005) 45(2), 225.

25. Dynamic ramp
E= DGEBA/DETDA
M= TGAP/DETDA
H30= 3a generazione solo OH
H30
E1= 3a generazione 11 gruppi epossidici sostituiti
Testi isotermi
G.Cicala et al. Polym. Eng.and Sci (2006) 46(11), 1502.

26. A. Recca et al Rivista Italiana di Compositi e Nanotecnologie (2006) 1, 65

27. H311 Hyperbranched Polyester with high molar
mass
H311 Liquid at room temperature
q p
DGEBA/DETDA
PCL= Policaprolactone
G.Cicala, G.Recca Polym. Eng.and Sci. (2008) in press

28. G.Cicala, G.Recca, S.Carciotto, C.L.Restuccia Polym.Eng. Sci. (2008) accepted

30. Several projects with companies:
◦ New materials and process for FRP pypes (Holson
Impianti SpA);
◦ Composite shielding for a robot for fire inspection
(Euroconsult and Gesind).
◦ Housing prototype for helicopters (Agusta-
Westland);

31. Properties and performances of various hybrid glass/natural fibre composites for curved pipes
G.Cicala, G.Cristaldi, G.Recca,G.Ziegmann, A. ElSabbagh, M.
G Cicala G Cristaldi G Recca G Ziegmann A ElSabbagh M Dickert , Materials and Design in press

41. Property CHISMATECH DIAB Dynicell DIAB ProBalsa
Drapability
Drapabilit +++ -- ---
Compressive ++++ - -
Strength
Shear Strength ++++ - -
Compressive
p + +++ -
Modulus
Shear Modulus - - ++

42. Nondimensional compressive strength
1.4
14
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Nondimensional shear strength
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0

44. http://www.resintsicilia.net/notizie/premio-polymer-challenge-vince-il-team-catanese-chismatech

46. Spin off proposed on RTM technology;
Start of operation 2009
2009.

47. DMTA Tritech2000 (all geometries);
ARES Rheometer;
DSC 60 Schimadsu;
DTG Schimatsu;
IR Perkin Elmer;
NMR 200MHz and 500MHz;
Inston 4301;
RTM Hypaject MK III;
Industrial oven (1*1m internal chamber);
(1 1m
Pump system for VARTM.