Certottica databank continues to expand
Currently, the Certottica databank contains around 220 innovative materials acquired partly through the Material Connexion convention and partly through an in-depth search of the Internet by the Institute's researchers. They have allowed the creation of a dense network of connections between Certottica and the other material manufacturing companies, worldwide.
A database is being set up to contain all the information about mechanical, thermal, optical, chemical-physical, electrical and process characteristics, biological compatibility and current applications. Some of the materials are particularly innovative.
CT TR19 is an original temperature-sensitive water paint which is activated between 15 and 42°C. Studies have already been carried out for application to glasses, with satisfactory results. When applied to the walls of a room, the paint allows light sources to be used to achieve splendid rainbow effects.
CT PR3 is a color infusion technology that will add special effects and color to thermoplastic parts after the injection, extrusion or heat-molding stages. The infusion operation is carried out in a bath of hot colorant disperser which lets it enter the plastic matrix without adding to the thickness or significantly altering the properties of the plastic. The components to be colored are immersed in the solution until the desired shade of color is achieved; this can take anything from a couple of seconds to a few minutes. It can be applied to PC (polycarbonate), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), PC/ABS, PC/PET (polyethylene terephthalate), SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile), Nylon and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). This process allows the coloring stage of finished molded parts to be controlled and personalized and offers incredible advantages thanks to the possibility of cutting back on stocks. The procedure can be used in the ophthalmic sector, for consumer goods, the automobile sector, in information technology and in the white goods industry.
CT ME4 is an unusual alloy which has the characteristics of rubber, even though it is metal. It is soft and flexible, but also strong and resistant. It has a very low elastic module, very high tensile strength, a super-elastic action which allows greater elasticity (2.5%) to be achieved compared to metal and super-plastic materials. Recently developed, this alloy is used in a wide range of applications including the medical sector, sport, precision instruments, the automobile sector, robotics and aerospace. It is already used for spectacle frames. The material's limitations (currently being worked on) are fatigue strength, heat resistance and the cost-efficiency ratio, all aspects that are to be improved.
