5. Material and component considerations (5.2 What materials and components should be selected when designing and manufacturing products and prototypes in Design Engineering?)

Question 1

Ferrous, non-ferrous, and alloy metals

Answer 1

These include metals such as mild steel, aluminium, and brass that are used for their properties like strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.

Question 2

Thermo softening and thermosetting polymers

Answer 2

These include materials like HIPS, ABS, and polyester resin, epoxy resin, and polyimides that are used for their ability to be molded into different shapes and their durability.

Question 3

Timbers and manufactured boards

Answer 3

These include materials like oak, plywood, and MDF that are used for their aesthetic qualities and their ability to be easily shaped.

Question 4

Textiles used for reinforcement and coverings

Answer 4

These include materials like geotextiles used in civil engineering and construction that are used for their strength and durability.

Question 5

Composite materials

Answer 5

These include materials like fiber-reinforced plastics, glass-reinforced plastics (GRP), and carbon fiber (CFRP) that are used for their strength, lightweight, and durability.

Question 6

Smart materials

Answer 6

These include materials like shape memory alloy, motion control gel, self-healing materials, thermochromic, photochromic, and electrochromic materials that are used for their ability to change properties in response to external stimuli.