Materials Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is a natural material?
It can be found in nature.
Eg wool
What is synthetic material?
It is made by humans.
Eg Polyester
Name 3 different kinds of materials.
- Ceramic (natural)
- polymer
3.composite
What is a ceramic?
A non-metallic material formed by heating and cooling a soft substance which transforms to a hard material.
What are the properties of ceramics?
Hard, waterproof, resistant to chemicals, high melting points, brittle.
What is a polymer?
A long chain of molecules made up of repeating monomers.
What is polymerisation?
Joining of monomers to form polymers.
What are natural polymers?
Naturally occur in plants and animals e.g., starch in potatoes, wool from sheep.
What are synthetic polymers?
Manufactured using chemicals taken from crude oil e.g., polythene for plastic bags.
Name the properties of polymers.
Good electric insulator, mouldable, durable/long lasting.
Are all polymer characteristics the same and why?
No, their properties depend on which monomers they are made from.
Do long or short chain polymers have higher melting points and are stronger?
Long polymer chains.
What problems can polymers create?
Health and environmental problems.
What is a composite material?
A material that is made from two or more different types of materials e.g., reinforced concrete or fibreglass.
What materials make up reinforced concrete?
Concrete and steel.
What materials make up fibreglass?
Glass fibres and plastic polymer.
