Laboratory of Composite Materials

The Composite Materials Laboratory traces its origins to 1989. The laboratory has operated under its current name since 2017. The laboratory is headed by Dr Valentin Antonovič.

Phone: +370 5 251 2335 Email: valentin.antonovic@vilniustech.lt

Laboratory Activities

Research Areas

The Composite Materials Laboratory carries out research on construction materials, develops innovative composite materials, advances sustainable technologies, collaborates with industry, participates in international projects, and contributes to the study process.
- Research on the structure and properties of construction materials (binders, aggregates, as well as cementitious, ceramic, and refractory materials).
- Development of composite materials using chemical and mineral additives and dispersed fibres.
- Use of waste and secondary raw materials (glass, plastics, demolition waste, ash, industrial dust, etc.) for sustainable materials.
- Modification of binder and composite systems to reduce cement content and the CO₂ footprint.
- Evaluation of thermal, mechanical, rheological, and durability properties.
- Application of thermal analysis methods (DTA, TG, DSC) to study phase transformations and material stability.
- Micro- and nanostructure analysis using SEM and other advanced analytical equipment.
- Research on chemical and mineral composition and particle size distribution.
- Measurement of heat released during hydration.
- Use of secondary raw materials and waste in the production of construction materials.
- Expert assessment of the condition of construction structures and materials.
Solutions for Industry and Society

The Composite Materials Laboratory develops sustainable solutions for construction materials by improving their durability and integrating secondary raw materials.
- Expert evaluation of the condition of concrete, plaster, finishing layers, and thermal equipment linings.
- Development of measures to reduce alkaline corrosion of refractory materials at high temperatures.
- Granulation of fine waste materials and their use in construction material production.
- Structural modification of clay products using chemical additives.
- Solutions for the reuse of different types of waste in construction materials.
- Development of sustainable cementitious materials.

Research Equipment

The Composite Materials Laboratory uses advanced research equipment to analyse the composition, structure, and mechanical properties of materials.

Material Preparation and Processing Equipment

Raw Material Crushing, Grinding, and Granulation Equipment
Concrete and Mortar Mixers
Drying Ovens and High-Temperature Furnaces (up to 1300 °C)
Grinding and Polishing Equipment

Rheology and Hardening Testing Equipment for Construction Materials

Rheotest RN 4.1 and SV-10 Vibroviscometer
ToniCal III Calorimeter
Ultrasonic and Exothermy Testing Equipment
Climatic Chamber

Mechanical and Durability Testing Equipment

Hydraulic Presses (Flexural and Compressive Strength Tests)
Impulse Excitation Equipment for Determining Elastic Properties
Alkali Corrosion and Freeze–Thaw Resistance Testing Chambers

Chemical and Structural Analysis Equipment

Scanning Electron Microscopes (JEOL JSM-7600F, Thermo Scientific Quattro S)
Linseis STA PT 1600 Thermal Analysis Instrument
Linseis L76 Dilatometer
Rigaku ZSX Primus IV X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
X-ray Diffractometer
Optical Microscopes

Projects

The Composite Materials Laboratory implements national and international projects focused on the development of composite, refractory, and environmentally friendly construction materials and the investigation of their properties. These projects strengthen research and study potential and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals.

2025-2028

Research group project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania: “Development of Environmentally Friendly Composites Using Hard-to-Recycle Dust Waste” (DEFCoRD). Project No S-MIP-25-168. Project value: EUR 199,965.00.

2024-2028 m.

Digital Europe Programme project: “Housing Decarbonisation Studies in Climate, Health, and Employment” (Skills4Deca). Project No 01123311. Value: EUR 5,515,908.85.

2020–2022 m.

European Social Fund co-funded project (based on a grant agreement with the Research Council of Lithuania): “Micro- and Nanostructure Formation in Refractory Materials with Reduced Cement Content.” Project No 09.3.3-LMT-K-712-19-0035. Project value: EUR 129,890.76.

2019–2022 m.

Research Council of Lithuania research group project: “Structure Formation and Investigation of Composite Materials for Extreme Service Conditions” (KMSFT). Project No S-MIP-19-41. Project value: EUR 130,031.00.

2019–2021 m.

Project under the Lithuania–Ukraine Programme for Cooperation in Science and Technology: “Development and Investigation of Ultra-Light High-Temperature Thermal Insulation Materials Using Production Waste” (ATIM). Project No S-LU-20-4. Value: EUR 13,257.20.

2018–2021 m.

European Regional Development Fund co-funded project under the measure “Promotion of the Activities of Competence Centres and Innovation and Technology Transfer Centres”: Centre for Environmentally Friendly Structural and Composite Materials and Environmental Technologies. Project No 01.2.2-CPVA-K-703-02-0031. Project value: EUR 986,523.56.

2013–2014 m.

Project under the Lithuania–Belarus Programme for Cooperation in Science and Technology: Investigation of Structure Formation in Refractory Materials with Micro- and Nano-Additives for Use in Extreme Conditions. Project No TAP-LB-12-026.

2008–2010 m.

Lithuanian High Technology Development Programme project: Nanostructure Formation in Cement-Based Construction Materials: Research and Technological Development (NANO CSM). Project No AUT-12/2010.

2025–2028 m.

Research group project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania: Development of Environmentally Friendly Composites Using Hard-to-Recycle Dust Waste (DEFCoRD). Project No S-MIP-25-168. Value: EUR 199,965.00.