Core Materials

Question 1

Properties of softwoods

Answer 1

• aka coniferous
• grow in cooler climates (straight/tall, faster)
• loose grain structure (no visible pores, thick fibre content, so easier to work w)
• cheaper/easier to obtain

Question 2

Example of softwood

Answer 2

PINE:
Properties: lightweight, essy to work w, good elasticity (pale yellowish brown)

Uses: interior construction, furniture

Question 3

Properties of hardwoods

Answer 3

• aka deciduous
• grow in temperate climates
• tighter grain structure (visible pores, thinner fibre content, so harder to work w)
• slow growing, expensive

Question 4

Example of hardwood

Answer 4

OAK:
Properties: tough, hard & durable, heavy & dense (light brown)

Uses: flooring, furniture

Question 5

What is a ferrous metal

Answer 5

Contains iron, so magnetic but vulnerable to rust if exposed to moisture w/o finish. High tensile strength & durability

Question 6

Example of ferrous metal

Answer 6

LOW CARBON STEEL (mild steel):
Ferrous of iron/carbon. Cheap, lightweight, tough & ductile. Strong magnetic properties, rusts easily if not protected

Uses: car bodies, pipelines

Question 7

What is non-ferrous metal

Answer 7

Pure metals, not magnetic as dont contain iron. Higher resistance to rust but can corrode/oxidise

Question 8

Example of non-ferrous

Answer 8

COPPER:
Ductile, malleable, good electrical conductor

Uses: plumbing supplies, electrical cables/wires

Question 9

What is an alloy

Answer 9

Mixture of 2 or more diff metals to improve properties (physical/mechanical). Harder than pure metals as contains atoms of diff sizes. Distorting arrangements of atoms makes harder for lauers to slide over.

Question 10

Example of alloy

Answer 10

STAINLESS STEEL:
Composed of low carbon/chromium. Hard, ductile, rust resistant. Chromium layers protect steel from corrosion

Uses: cutlery, kitchen & medical equipment

Question 11

Absorbency

Answer 11

Ability to soak up/drawn in heat, light, moisture

Question 12

Fusibility

Answer 12

Ability to be converted from solid to liquid by heat & combined w another mat

Question 13

Ductility

Answer 13

Ability to be stretched w/o breaking

Question 14

Strength

Answer 14

Ability to withstand forces s/a pressure

Question 15

Toughness

Answer 15

Ability to absorb shock w/o fracturing

Question 16

What are polymers

Answer 16

Long chain molecules made from small repeating units called monomers

Originate from crude oil (finite resource, non-renewable)

Question 17

What are thermoforming polymers

Answer 17

Involves using heat to form thermoplastics. Flexible esp when heated.

Polymer chains loosely entangled w very few cross links - allows chains to easily slide over eachother when heated. Can be reformed multiple times

O-O-O
O-O-O

Question 18

Example of thermoforming polymer

Answer 18

ACRYLIC (PMMA):
Tough but brittle. Easily scratched, resistant to weathering

Uses: car lights

Question 19

What are thermosetting polymers

Answer 19

Involves using chemical reactions to form plastics, cannot be reformed. Resistant to higher temps (burn rather than melt)

Chains rigidly cross-linked

O-O-O
\ \ \
O-O-O

Question 20

Example of thermosetting polymer

Answer 20

EPOXY RESIN:
Good strength to weight ratio. Good electrical insulator, heat resistant

Uses: adhesives

Question 21

What are manufactured boards

Answer 21

Usually made from timber waste & adhesive, often veneered for more aestheticslly pleasing finish

Question 22

Manufactured boards: MDF

Answer 22

Rigid & stable, smooth to finish surface. Very absorbent so not suitable in high humidity or for outdoor uses

Uses: kitchen uses

Question 23

Manufactured boards: Plywood

Answer 23

Very stable in all directions due to alternate laying at 90 degrees, w outside layer running in same direction

Uses: shelving, construction

Question 24

Manufactured boards: Chipboard

Answer 24

Good compressive strength, not water resistant, prone to chipping on edges/corners

Uses: flooring, worktops

Question 25

Adv of manufactured boards

Answer 25

• available in large board sizes - reduces no. of joints
• cheaper than natural timber
• can be laminated to apply wide range of finishes

Question 26

Disadv of manufactured boards

Answer 26

• resins and binders in boards can be toxic - precautions must be taken
• edges difficult to finish due to no natural end grain

Question 27

What are textiles?

Answer 27

Derived from natural & synthetic mats. Highly adaptable & can be constructed to maximise properties

Question 28

Eg of natural fibre

Answer 28

COTTON:
Prop: soft, absorbent, washes
Uses: clothes, towels

Question 29

What are natural fibres?

Answer 29

Made from plant or animal based fibres (renewable)