material science

Question 1

What is a key property of timber related to energy consumption?

Answer 1

Requires less energy

Timber has a lower energy requirement compared to other materials during processing.

Question 2

What is the strength to weight ratio of timber?

Answer 2

High strength to weight ratio

This property makes timber a favorable choice for various applications.

Question 3

What is one aesthetic advantage of using timber?

Answer 3

Pleasing appearance

Timber is often chosen for its natural beauty in construction and furniture.

Question 4

What thermal property does timber have?

Answer 4

Low thermal conductivity

This means timber is effective as an insulator.

Question 5

What is a significant environmental benefit of timber?

Answer 5

Not a disposal problem after use

Timber can be recycled or decomposed naturally.

Question 6

What type of products does timber belong to?

Answer 6

Natural products

Timber is derived from trees, making it a renewable resource.

Question 7

How is timber typically worked?

Answer 7

Easy worked with hand tools

This makes timber accessible for DIY projects.

Question 8

What fire-related advantage does timber have?

Answer 8

Timber sectors have good fire resistance

Certain treatments can enhance timber’s fire resistance.

Question 9

What is a common imperfection found in timber?

Answer 9

Imperfections such as knots, grains and defects such as shakes

These imperfections can affect the aesthetic and structural integrity of timber.

Question 10

What potential issue can arise from timber?

Answer 10

Possible distortion

Timber can warp or twist due to moisture changes.

Question 11

What type of attack can timber be subject to?

Answer 11

Fungal and insect attack

Untreated timber is especially vulnerable to decay and pests.

Question 12

What happens to untreated timber in fire?

Answer 12

Burns readily in fire

This highlights the need for fire treatment in certain applications.

Question 13

What is a property of timber under load?

Answer 13

Subject to creep under load

Creep refers to the slow and permanent deformation of timber over time.

Question 14

What are manufactured boards?

Answer 14

OSB, block board, chipboards, plywood, MDF

These are engineered wood products designed for specific uses.

Question 15

What is a benefit of manufactured boards compared to solid timber?

Answer 15

Cheaper than solid timber

Manufactured boards are often more cost-effective due to lower production costs.

Question 16

What are fibre boards made from?

Answer 16

Produced from compressed wood fibres

Most fibre boards are not suitable for outdoor use due to moisture sensitivity.

Question 17

What are particle boards commonly made from?

Answer 17

Made from particles of wood and usually bonded with synthetic resin

Particle boards are often used in furniture and cabinetry.

Question 18

What is plywood made from?

Answer 18

Made from a number of thin sheets of timber

Plywood is known for its strength and versatility.

Question 19

What is one of the key properties of steel?

Answer 19

Strength

Steel’s high strength makes it a preferred material in construction.

Question 20

What does toughness in steel refer to?

Answer 20

Toughness

Toughness is the ability of steel to absorb energy and deform without breaking.

Question 21

What property indicates steel’s resistance to fracture?

Answer 21

Brittleness

Brittleness is the tendency to break or shatter under stress.

Question 22

What does ductility in steel refer to?

Answer 22

Ductility

Ductility is the ability to be drawn into wires or stretched without breaking.

Question 23

What property of steel is important for joining materials?

Answer 23

Weldability

Weldability indicates how easily steel can be welded together.

Question 24

What is a notable strength-related property of steel?

Answer 24

Strength to weight ratio

This property is advantageous in applications requiring lightweight materials.

Question 25

What is one of the durability aspects of steel?

Answer 25

Durability ## Footnote Steel's resistance to wear and corrosion contributes to its long lifespan.

Question 26

What mechanical property is associated with concrete?

Answer 26

Mechanical strength ## Footnote Concrete is known for its high compressive strength.

Question 27

What does ductility in concrete indicate?

Answer 27

Ductility ## Footnote Concrete can deform under tensile stress, though it is primarily strong in compression.

Question 28

What property of concrete refers to its ability to return to its original shape?

Answer 28

Elasticity ## Footnote Elasticity is critical for structural integrity under loads.

Question 29

What property of concrete prevents water penetration?

Answer 29

Impermeability ## Footnote Impermeability is essential for durability in wet environments.

Question 30

What characteristic of concrete provides protection against impacts?

Answer 30

Impact resistance ## Footnote Impact resistance is important for surfaces subjected to heavy loads.

Question 31

What fire-related property does concrete possess?

Answer 31

Fire resistance ## Footnote Concrete can withstand high temperatures without losing structural integrity.

Question 32

What aspect of concrete affects sound transmission?

Answer 32

Thermal acoustics ## Footnote This property is important for noise reduction in buildings.

Question 33

What is a key property of brick?

Answer 33

Hardness ## Footnote Hardness contributes to the durability and strength of brick structures.

Question 34

What property of brick makes it effective in load-bearing applications?

Answer 34

Good in compression ## Footnote Brick can withstand significant compressive forces.

Question 35

What is a permeability issue related to brick?

Answer 35

Permeability ## Footnote High permeability can lead to moisture problems in brickwork.

Question 36

What characteristic of brick helps it withstand freezing temperatures?

Answer 36

Frost resistance ## Footnote Frost resistance is critical for bricks used in cold climates.

Question 37

What is efflorescence in brick?

Answer 37

Efflorescence ## Footnote It refers to the formation of white, powdery deposits on brick surfaces due to soluble salts.

Question 38

What type of chemical attack can affect brick?

Answer 38

Sulphate attack ## Footnote Sulphate attack can lead to deterioration of brick materials.

Question 39

What is a key strength property of glass?

Answer 39

Compressive and tensile strength ## Footnote Glass can withstand both compressive and tensile forces, though it is more effective in compression.

Question 40

What is a notable behavior of glass under stress?

Answer 40

Inelastic ## Footnote Glass does not return to its original shape after deformation.

Question 41

What is a significant property of glass related to durability?

Answer 41

Hardness and brittleness ## Footnote Glass is hard but can shatter easily under impact.

Question 42

What property of glass allows it to withstand environmental factors?

Answer 42

Weather resistance ## Footnote Weather resistance is important for glass used in buildings and vehicles.

Question 43

What type of chemical resistance does glass have?

Answer 43

Chemical resistance ## Footnote Glass is resistant to many chemicals, making it suitable for various applications.

Question 44

What is a defining characteristic of glass?

Answer 44

Transparency ## Footnote Transparency is crucial for applications in windows and optical devices.

Question 45

What is a key strength property of plastic?

Answer 45

High strength to weight ratio ## Footnote This makes plastic suitable for lightweight applications.

Question 46

What is a notable durability feature of plastic?

Answer 46

Durability ## Footnote Plastics are resistant to many environmental factors.

Question 47

What is a significant water-related property of plastic?

Answer 47

Waterproof ## Footnote Plastics are often used in applications where moisture resistance is essential.

Question 48

What is a key working characteristic of plastic?

Answer 48

Workability ## Footnote Plastic can be easily molded and shaped for various uses.