1.2 Performance characteristics Flashcards
Aluminium
Non-ferrous metal
lightweight, ductile, malleable, melting point of 660
used in drinks cans, aircraft bodies, bike frames
Copper
Non-ferrous metal
ductile, malleable, tough, melting point of 1083
used in electrical wire, water pipes, central heating pipes
Zinc
Non-ferrous metal
low melting point of 420, good corrosion resistance
used in galvanising steel, as a protective coating for dustbins
Silver
Non-ferrous metal
malleable, ductile, can be soldered, melting point of 962
used in jewellery, cutlery, plating other materials
Gold
Non-ferrous metal
malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered, melting point of 1963
used in jewellery, electronic components
Titanium
Non-ferrous metal
hard, similar strength to steels but more lightweight, melting point of 1668
used in joint replacements, tooth implants, golf clubs
Tin
Non-ferrous metal
ductile, malleable, low melting point of 232
used in soft solder, coatings for food cans, rarely used in pure forms
Low carbon steel
Ferrous metal
ductile, high tensile strength, poor resistance to corrosion, melting point of 1427
used in nuts, bolts, washers, card bodies
Medium carbon steel
Ferrous metal
harder than low carbon steel but less ductile, malleable and tough
used in springs, gardening tools
Cast iron
Ferrous metal
hard outer skin but brittle core, good under compression, melting point of 1149
used in cooking equipment, disc brakes, machine parts
Stainless steel
Ferrous alloys
tough, hard, combination of chrome and nickel
used in sinks, kitchenware, cutlery
High speed steel
Ferrous alloys
hard, tough, high level of resistance to fractional heat, combination of tungsten, chromium, vanadium, carbon
used in tool blades, drill bits, router bits
Die steel
Ferrous alloys
hard, tough, combination of tungsten, chromium, vanadium, carbon
used in blanking punches and dies, extruder dies
Bronze
Non-ferrous alloys
tough, corrosion resistant, can be cast, combination of copper and tin
used in statues, coins, bearings
Brass
Non-ferrous alloys
good electrical and thermal conductor, combination of copper and zinc
used in instruments, boat fittings, ornaments
Duralium
Non-ferrous alloys
equivalent strength properties of low carbon steel but more lightweight, combination of copper, magnesium and manganese
used in aircraft parts, vehicle parts
Pewter
Non-ferrous alloys
malleable, low melting point, combination of tin, copper and antimony
used in tankards, flasks, goblets
Low density polyethylene
very tough, waterproof, available in translucent, low level of rigidity, good chemical resistance
used in squeezy detergent bottles, toys, carrier bags
High density polyethylene
available in translucent form, waterproof, tough, good chemical resistance
used in jerry cans, bins, bowls
Polypropylene
available in translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance
used in rope, folders, food containers
High impact polystyrene
hard, rigid, available in translucent, tough
used in yoghurt pots, vacuum forming toilet seats
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
extremely tough, hard, available in opaque
used in toys, telephone handsets, computer housings
PMMA
tough, hard, good chemical resistance
used in car light castings, cnc laser cut items, baths
Nylon
tough, corrosion resistant, good temperature resistance, low coefficient of friction
used in bearings, gears, curtain rails
UPVC, rigid polyvinyl chloride
rigid, opaque, tough, fire retardant
used in window frames, external doors, bank cards
PVC, flexible polyvinyl chloride
tough, good weathering resistance
used in hose pipes, cable insulation, seat coverings
Urea formaldehyde
TS polymer
hard, heat resistant, brittle
used in electrical fittings, adhesives
Melamine formaldehyde
TS polymer
hard, opaque, food safe, chemical and heat resistant
used in decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons
Polyester resin
TS polymer
rigid, heat and chemical resistant, brittle
used in casting, lay-up processes for GRP, car parts
Epoxy resin
TS polymer
rigid, clear, hard, chemical resistant
used in adhesives, surface coating, cardiac pacemakers, aerospace applications
Carbon fibre reinforced plastic
Composite
lightweight, low thermal expansion, good compressive strength, combination of carbon fibres and polyester or epoxy resin
used in sports equipment, prosthetics
Glass reinforced plastic
Composite
corrosion resistant, lightweight, low thermal expansion, good compressive strength, combination of glass fibres and polyester resin
used in boat hulls, pond liners, kayak shells
Tungsten carbide
Composite
resistant to high temperatures, corrosion resistant, combination of A cermet, ceramic tungsten and cobalt metal
used in cutting tools, router bits, kitchen knives
Aluminium composite board
Composite
lightweight, good thermal and sound insulation, combination of aluminium sheets with polyethylene core
used in sound proofing panels in cars and buildings, signage
Concrete
Composite
high compression and tensile strength, combination of cement powder, sand, aggregate, particles, water
used in pathways, beams, blocks
Reinforced concrete
Composite
high compression and tensile strength, consistency across the structure, combination of cement powder, sand, aggregate, low carbon steel rods, water
used in buildings, retaining walls, bridge spans
Fibre cement
Composite
lighter in weight than reinforced concrete, good at low temperatures, combination of cement powder, sand, aggregate, polymer or steel fibres, water
used in suspended floors, complex geometric shapes
Engineered wood
Composite
natural alternative to reinforced concrete, more lightweight, fire resistant, combination of timber laminates and melamine formaldehyde adhesives
used in beams, bridges, domes
Nitinol - SMAs
Smart
changes in shape in response to a change in temperature of electrical input
used in dental braces, self closing windows
Thermochromic pigment
Smart
changes in colour is response to temperature change
used in room thermometers, colour change mugs and kettles
Phosphorescent pigment
Smart
absorbs light energy during the day and re-emits the light energy when its dark
used in fire exit signs, glow in the dark products
Photochromic pigment
Smart
changes colour with light intensity
used in welding goggles, reactive glasses lenses
Electroluminescent wire
Smart
thin copper wire coated in phosphorescent material which glows in response to alternating current
used in glow bracelets, home decoration, outdoor decorative lighting
Piezoelectric material
Smart
gives off small electrical charge when deformed
increases in size when an electrical current passes through it
used in airbag sensors in cars, lighters for BBQs, musical greeting cards
Kevlar
Modern
aramid fibres with high cut and heat resistant properties
used in body armour, cut proof gloves
Precious metal clay
Modern
clay consistency material made up of fine metal particles, easily mouldable, easy to shape and form, sets hard once fired with a kiln or butane torch
used in jewellery, decorative items, small sculptures
High density modelling foam
Modern
polyurethane closed cell foam blocks or sheets, lightweight, easy to work with using traditional wood working tools, sands easily
used in 3D modelling, prototypes
Polymorph
Modern
granules become moulded at 60 degrees, can be heated in water or with a hair dryer, solidifies in room temperature
used in modelling, shaping ergonomic handles
