material properties Flashcards
(20 cards)
what is hardness?
the ability to withstand scratches and abrasions without deforming. hard metals tend to crack upon impact easier
what is toughness?
how well a material can absorb energy and withstand force without deforming
what is ductility?
the ability for a material to stretch and drawn out without being damaged e.g. copper
what is malleability?
the ability to be bent and shaped without snapping or breaking
what does it mean for a material to be a good insulator?
it is able to resist the flow of heat, electricity or sound
what does it mean for a material to have good UV resistance?
can withstand prolonged exposure to UV light without damage. meaning it maintains structure, colour and other properties
what does it mean for a material to be strong?
The ability of a material to withstand compression, tension andforces
what is strength to weight ratio?
measure of a materials strength relative to its weight. a good strength to weight ratio means it can withstand high amounts of stress for its weight
what is elasticity?
The ability to be stretched and then return to its original shape, eg elastane in swimming costumes is a highly elastic material
What are mechanical properties?
Properties that describe how a material responds to forces, such as compression, tension, or impact.
What is compressive strength?
The ability of a material to resist being squashed or compressed.
Example: Concrete has high compressive strength.
What is brittleness?
A lack of toughness—the material breaks or shatters without much deformation.
Example: Glass is brittle.
What is plasticity?
The ability of a material to permanently deform without breaking.
Example: Clay is plastic when wet.
What are physical properties?
Properties that describe a material’s appearance, structure, or composition without changing its chemical identity.
What is density?
The mass per unit volume of a material.
Example: Lead is dense, while foam is not.
What is fusibility?
The ability of a material to melt or fuse when heated.
Example: Solder has high fusibility.
What is corrosion resistance?
The ability of a material to withstand environmental degradation (e.g., rust or oxidation).
Example: Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant.
What is thermal expansion?
How much a material expands when heated.
Example: Glass expands when heated, but borosilicate glass expands less.
What is opacity?
How much light a material blocks.
Example: Wood is opaque, while glass is transparent.
What is permeability?
The ability of a material to allow fluids or gases to pass through.
