Thermoplastic Starch Films Added with Dry Nopal (Opuntia Ficus Indica) Fibers

Dry fibers coming from garden waste, originating from Opuntia ficus indica, were introduced in amounts of either 8 or 16 wt % into a self-produced thermoplastic starch (TPS) based on potato starch and glycerol. Thermal (differential scanning calorimetry, DSC), mechanical (tensile tests), and morphological characterization with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and performing energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (microanalysis) were carried out. The results indicated that the uneven distribution and variable geometry of fibers introduced led to a reduction of tensile stress and strain with respect to pure TPS. However, the positive effects of prolonged mixing and increased thickness were highlighted, which suggest the fabrication of the composite could be improved in the future by controlling the manufacturing procedure

Indagini conoscitive sul retablo di Castelsardo, caposaldo del tardogotico catalano in Sardegna

In order to understand the painting technique and the materials used by the so-called Maestro di Castelsardo, three panels belonging to the Retablo of Castelsardo have been investigated by means of integrated non-destructive and micro-destructive techniques. The obtained results represent the first technical contribution on paintings by such important and representative artist in the context of the Catalan figurative culture in Sardinia

CHARACTERIZATION OF HISTORICAL MASONRY MORTAR FROM SITES DAMAGED DURING THE CENTRAL ITALY 2016-2017 SEISMIC SEQUENCE: THE CASE STUDY OF ARQUATA DEL TRONTO

Mortar quality is a fundamental parameter to take into account when studying the structural behavior of masonry, especially under seismic actions. Separation between the leaves of rubble masonry can occur, inducing the partial or total collapse of the construction. A good quality mortar is essential to delay/prevent the separation of leaves, but often, especially in ancient building with a cultural value, mortars have low binder capabilities. The paper presents an experimental investigation on mortar specimens taken from buildings of a little municipality in Marche region, Arquata del Tronto, heavily damaged by recent earthquakes in Central Italy (2016-2017). Both diagnostic techniques as X-Ray diffraction, Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy and calcimetry, and mechanical test as compression tests were carried out in order to correlate the obtained values with the performance of the original masonry