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AS Level Product Design > Characteristics and properties of materials > Flashcards

Characteristics and properties of materials Flashcards

1
Q

What are common thermosetting polymers?

A

Epoxy resin (ER) - Casting
Melamine Formaldehyde (MF) - Plastic Table wear
Polyester resin (PR) - Hard hats
Urea Formaldehyde (UF) - Plug Sockets

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2
Q

What are thermosetting plastics?

A

Plastics that can only be formed once and cannot be reshaped or recycled (they do not have shape memory)

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3
Q

What are the general properties of a thermosetting polymer?

A
  • Cannot be reshaped
  • Resistance to heat
  • Good insulators
  • Single use and can’t be recycled
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4
Q

What are common thermoplastics?

A

Polyamide (nylon)
PTFE
Polyester
Acrylic
ABS
PLA

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5
Q

What are the uses of ABS and some properties?

A

Vacuum construction
Keyboard keys
Lego bricks

Impact, heat and chemical resistance resistant, easily coloured,

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6
Q

What are the uses of High Impact Polystyrene and some properties?

A

CD Cases
Food safe packaging (e.g. yogurt pots)
Plates

Available in many colours
Lightweight
Strong
Hard, stiff, transparent, brittle, water resistance
not very durable

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7
Q

What are the uses of PLA and some properties?

A

3D printer filament
Bottles
Biodegradable medical devices

Water resistant
High Strength
Very mailable and pliable

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8
Q

What is a hardwood?

A

They are woods that come from deciduous trees that shed leaves in autumn. These grow slower than softwoods, less plentiful and thus more expensive

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9
Q

What are softwoods?

A

Woods that come from coniferous trees, which usually remain evergreen. These grow faster than hardwoods and usually have needles and pines instead of leaves.

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10
Q

What are examples of hardwoods?

A

Oak
Ash
Beech
Mahogany
Balsa

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11
Q

What are the general properties of hardwood?

A

They are generally more tough and durable than softwoods with a closer grain and used in higher end furniture and furnishing.
Balsa is the exception as it is very lightweight and soft making it great for model making

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12
Q

What are examples of softwoods?

A

Pine
Cedar
Spruce
Larch

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13
Q

What are the general properties of softwoods?

A

Tend to be paler in colour with a darker grain and are generally more lightweight than hardwoods.
They are popular for household construction and fencing

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14
Q

What are natural timbers?

A

Woods that require seaoning to lower moisture content prior to use

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15
Q

What are regenerated materials?

A

Materials that use recycled material and combines them to make a strong and durable materials.
This is also a eco approach to sourcing materials and follows the ‘cradle to cradle’ cycle.

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16
Q

What are the uses and properties of PVC?

A

Pipes
electrical insulation
Chemical containers

High chemical resistance
High impact strength
Can be extruded

17
Q

What are examples of regenerated materials?

A

Blockboard - Plywood with veneers on exterior
Cellulose-based boards- Fibres
Chipboard- Mixing wood particles with epoxy resin
Medium density fibreboard (MDF)- Wood chips with resin
Paper

18
Q

What are alloys?

A

A mixture of metals with an element to improve its properties or aesthetics

19
Q

What are common alloys?

A

Brass
Pewter
Bronze
Stainless Steel

20
Q

What are the properties of ferrous metals?

A

Low corrosion resistance (rusts)
Durable
Great tensile strength
Usually magnetic
Silver like in colour
Recyclable
Good conductors of electricity

21
Q

Properties of non-ferrous metals

A
  • High corrosion resistance (doesn’t rust)
  • Easy to fabricate – machinability, casting, welding etc.
  • Great thermal conductivity.
  • Great electrical conductivity.
  • Low density (less mass)
  • Colourful (Aesthetically pleasing)
  • Non-magnetic.
22
Q

What is the trend in properties for mild to high carbon steel?

A

Low Carbon Steel- Ductile, Malleable, tough and poor corrosion resistance

Medium Carbon Steel- Harder than carbon steel but less ductile, malleable and tough

High carbon Steel (Cast Iron) - Hard outer layer but brittle core, good under compression

The more carbon, the more hard and brittle and less malleable and ductile the metal gets.

23
Q

What are ferrous metals and some examples

A

Metals that contain iron, are magnetic and corrode meaning they will need added protection
Mild steel
Carbon steel
Cast iron
Wrought iron

AS Level Product Design (15 decks)

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