✅3.1 - Types of Materials

Question 1

Types of materials (5)

Answer 1

Plastics / Woods / Metals / Composites / Smart and Modern

Question 2

Physical properties

Answer 2

An observable/measurable characteristic of material (e.g. strength, density ) which describes how a material behaves under specific conditions

Question 3

Types of physical properties (8)

Answer 3

Mechanical / Electrical / Chemical / Thermal / Magnetic / Permeability / Aesthetic / Tactile

Question 4

Mechanical

Answer 4

How a material reacts to physical forces

Example:
How some materials become brittle when repeatedly bent/flexed

Question 5

Electrical

Answer 5

A material’s conductive properties including insulation and resistance

Example:
How a screwdriver’s polymer handle (insulator) protects the user from electric shocks through the tip (conductor)

Question 6

Chemical

Answer 6

How a material reacts to other chemicals

Example:
How metals oxidise when exposed (e.g. ferrous metals rusting)

Question 7

Thermal

Answer 7

How a material responds at different temperatures

Example:
The temperature ranges where thermoforming plastics can be shaped

Question 8

Magnetic

Answer 8

Most ferrous materials are attracted to magnets or can be magnetised

Example:
The use of magnetic catches for keeping doors closed

Question 9

Permeability

Answer 9

The degree which liquids or gases can pass through a material

Example:
Woods that have been varnished have low permeability to liquids and water resistance

Question 10

Aesthetic

Answer 10

The visual sensory properties of the surface/form of a material

Example:
Colour and shine

Question 11

Tactile

Answer 11

The touch or sensory properties of a material

Example:
Texture

Question 12

Working properties

Answer 12

The way a material behaves when being worked or shaped of while being used within a product; they determine the tools or processes that will be used when making/manufacturing and how a product will function

Question 13

Types of working properties (8)

Answer 13

Strength / Hardness / Toughness / Durability / Elasticity / Plasticity / Malleability / Ductility

Question 14

Strength

Answer 14

The ability to withstand a constant external force without falling

Question 15

Hardness

Answer 15

The ability to resist wear-and-tear, scratching and dents (usually related to surfaces)

Question 16

Toughness

Answer 16

The ability to withstand blows or momentary shocks (live forces)

Question 17

Durability

Answer 17

The ability to resist wear

Example:
Weathering over time

Question 18

Elasticity

Answer 18

The ability to bend and then return to its original shapes/size

Question 19

Plasticity

Answer 19

The ability to permanently change shape or form (applies to materials other than polymers)

Question 20

Malleability

Answer 20

The ability to permanently change shape in all directions while retaining integrity

Question 21

Ductility

Answer 21

The ability to change shape by stretching along its length without snapping

Question 22

Why is selecting appropriate materials for a product important?

Answer 22

In order to get the design specification right (identify the requirements of the user, function or conditions that a product will be exposed to)