Ceramics

Question 1

What are some properties of ceramics?

Answer 1

• Low thermal and electrical conductivity.
• High hardness
• Low elasticity
• Chemically neutral
• High stiffness
• High heat resistance
• High Resistance to corrosion
• Low resilence.

Question 2

How do ceramics react when put in the presence of acids or bases?

Answer 2

Some acids and some bases are capable of degrading ceramics.

Question 3

How do we protect ceramics?

Answer 3

There has not been much though put into how to protect ceramics due to their high durability.

Question 4

State some properties of metals.

Answer 4

• High thermal/electrical conductivity.
• Low chemical neutrality.
• High resilience.
• Low corrosion resistance.
• Variable stiffness and hardness (depends on the alloy).
• High ductility

Question 5

What is the main cause of metal degradation?

Answer 5

Oxidation, which causes the metal to corrode.

Question 6

What are some methods used to protect metals?

Answer 6

• Galvanization (dipping the metal in molten zinc)
• Coating the metal in paint, grease, resin, enamel, etc.
• Heat treatments (i.e. quench hardening and tempering, annealing)

Question 7

What are the two different types of plastics?

Answer 7

1. Thermoplastics.
2. Thermosetting plastics.

Question 8

State the properties of thermoplastics.

Answer 8

• High elasticity and chemical neutrality.
• High corrosion resistance.
• High resilience.
• Low thermal/electrical conductivity.
• Highly durable.

Question 9

State the properties of thermosetting plastics.

Answer 9

• Low thermal and electrical conductivity.
• High hardness.
• High stiffness and heat resistance.
• High corrosion resistance and resilience.

Question 10

Describe the difference between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.

Answer 10

1. Thermoplastics are capable of being reheated and reshaped while keeping their essential properties.
2. Thermosetting plastics can be heated and shaped only once. They are not recyclable and are the main cause of our environmental problems.

Question 11

What is modified wood?

Answer 11

Modified wood is a treated wood or a material made from wood mixed with
another substance. Most modified woods are made by gluing together pieces, sheets,
or residues of wood leftover from harvesting. Common types are plywood,
particleboard and fiberboard.

Question 12

How do you protect the wood from degradation?

Answer 12

By dipping it in a basic solution that contains copper, giving it a greenish
colour.
 Heating it to a high temperature does not change the colour but it is more
expensive