Properties of other materials

Question 1

Give the points for polymers having useful properties

Answer 1

• Most polymers are insulators
• Often flexible
• Have low density meaning they’re not heavy for their size and strength which make them helpful for things need to be strong but not heavy
• They can be easily moulded made into, almost, any shape

Question 2

Give the points for ceramics being stiff but brittle

Answer 2

Ceramics can be used for porcelain glass and bone china
- They’re insulators - difficult for energy to be transferred through them electrically or by heating
- They are brittle so they aren’t flexible and the shatter instead of bending
- They’re stiff so they can withstand strong forces before they break

Question 3

What are composite materials

Answer 3

• Composites are made of two or more different materials stuck together
• This makes a material with more useful properties than either material alone

Question 4

Give the points of fibreglass

Answer 4

• Fibreglass consists of glass embedded into plastic
• Low density but it’s very strong
• These properties are useful for making things like skis, boats and surfboards