Materials & Composites Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the types of wood?
Hardwood (e.g. Oak, Beech, Mahogany)
Softwood (e.g. Pine, Spruce)
Manufactured wood (e.g. MDF, plywood, chipboard)
What are the properties of ferrous metals
Magnetic
Prone to rust (unless treated)
What are examples of hardwood with real-world uses?
Oak – used for flooring and high-end furniture (durable, attractive)
Beech – used for children’s toys and benches (hard, shock-resistant)
Mahogany – used for veneers and premium cabinets (stable, finishes well)
What are the properties of hardwood?
Tough and durable
Close-grained (smooth texture)
Slow-growing (more expensive)
Aesthetically pleasing
What are the properties of softwood
Fast-growing
Less durable than hardwood
Generally cheaper
What are examples of softwood with real-world uses?
Pine – Flat-pack furniture (affordable, easy to work)
Spruce – Construction timber (strong for its weight)
Cedar – Outdoor cladding, shingles (naturally weather-resistant)
What are examples of manufactured boards with real-world uses?
MDF – Cabinet carcasses (smooth, easy to paint)
Plywood – Wall panelling, flooring (strong in both directions)
Chipboard – Budget kitchen worktops (laminated for durability)
what are examples of non-ferrous metals with real-world uses?
Aluminium – Aircraft parts, drink cans (lightweight, recyclable)
Copper – Plumbing, wiring (great conductor)
Zinc – Galvanising steel (protective coating)
What are the properties of manufactured boards?
Uniform structure
Stable
Cost-effective
What are examples of ferrous metals with real-world uses
Mild Steel – Car body panels, frameworks
Cast Iron – Manhole covers, cookware (good in compression)
What are the properties of non-ferrous metals?
Corrosion-resistant
Non-magnetic
What is an alloy, and give an example with uses.
Alloy: Mix of metals for improved properties
Example: Brass (Copper + Zinc) – Used in door handles, musical instruments (decorative, corrosion-resistant)
What are examples of thermoplastics with real-world uses
Acrylic – Signage, car lights (shiny, shatter-resistant)
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – LEGO, power tool housings (tough, impact-resistant)
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) – Drink bottles (clear, food-safe)
What are the properties of thermoplastics?
Recyclable
Soften when heated (can be reshaped)
What are examples of thermosetting plastics with real-world uses
Epoxy – Adhesives, circuit boards
Melamine – Kitchen worktops, laminates (scratch/heat-resistant)
What are the properties of thermosetting plastics?
Permanently hard once set
High heat resistance
What are bioplastics and where are they used?
Made from natural sources (e.g. PLA from corn starch)
Used in disposable cutlery, food packaging (eco-friendly)
What are composites and give real-world examples?
Composites: Combined materials for improved performance
Examples:
GFRP – Boat hulls, helmets (light, durable)
CFRP – F1 cars, bikes (strong, lightweight, expensive)
Plywood – Building panels (less warping)
Concrete – Foundations, pavements (strong in compression, reinforced with steel)
What are examples of smart materials and their uses?
Thermochromic pigment – Baby spoons, battery indicators (colour changes with heat)
Shape memory alloy (Nitinol) – Glasses frames, stents (returns to shape when heated)
What are examples of modern materials and their uses?
Graphene – Supercapacitors, flexible electronics (ultra-strong, conductive)
Polymorph – Prototyping grips, tools (mouldable at 62°C)
Nanomaterials – Coatings, filters, antimicrobial surfaces
