Core Materials ( Metals, Timbers And Polymers )

Question 1

What are most metals found in?

Answer 1

Most metals are found in ores. An ore is a metal which has been mixed with other substances such as different types of rocks. Ores can be found underground, in mines and sometimes in the surface

Question 2

What are metals such as gold and silver found in?

Answer 2

Raw forms but in much smaller quantities due to their reactivity level. Most gold we use is extracted from ores in a similar way to iron. Only a few grams of gold are found in every metric tonne of ore

Question 3

What are ferrous metals?

Answer 3

Ferrous metals are magnetic as they contain iron (most)

Question 4

What are non-ferrous metals?

Answer 4

Non-Ferrous metals do not contain iron (more malleable, more resistant to corrosion)

Question 5

What are alloys metals?

Answer 5

Alloys use a mixture of two or more metals (makes it improve the characteristics of the metal, more durable, aesthetic, light-weight etc) generally created to improve properties

(although if they contain iron they will be known as ferrous alloys)

Question 6

Examples of common metals

Answer 6

• Aluminium
• Low carbon steel (mild steel)
• High carbon steel (tool steel)
• Zinc
• Copper
• Cast iron
• Stainless steel
• Brass

Question 7

What is the composition of stainless steel

Answer 7

Alloy of steel including chronium(18%)
and nickel (8%)

Question 8

What are the properties of stainless steel

Answer 8

• Hard,durable as well as tough
• Excellent resistance to corrosion so it can resist bacteria

Question 9

What are the uses of stainless steel

Answer 9

Sinks, cutlery, surgical equipment and homewares

Question 10

What is the composition of brass

Answer 10

Alloy of copper (65%) and zinc (35%)

Question 11

What are the properties of brass

Answer 11

• Strong as well as ductile
• Can be casted well
• Corrosion resistant so it can be resistant to bacteria
• Conductor of heat and electricity

Question 12

What are the uses of brass

Answer 12

Castings, forgings, taps and wood screws

Question 13

What are two types of trees?

Answer 13

Deciduous and coniferous trees

Question 14

Characteristics of deciduous trees

Answer 14

• They mainly grow in temperature climates including the British Isles
• Tend to have a tighter grain structure
• Broad-leaved trees and are slower growing trees taking 100 years to grow

Question 15

Characteristics of coniferous trees

Answer 15

• They mainly grow in a cooler climate
• They have a looser grain structure as they grow fast
• The trees grow tall and straight
• Often used in building material

Question 16

Examples of hardwood trees

Answer 16

Ash, Beech, Mahogany, Oak and Balsa

Question 17

Examples of softwood trees

Answer 17

Larch, pine, spruce and redwood

Question 18

What is seasoning (in terms of trees)

Answer 18

The drying out process for trees to remove all its moisture, this process must not be rushed

Question 19

What is the difference between softwood and hardwood trees?

Answer 19

Sofwood trees have a loose grain structure as they grow fast, the ring is more spread out meaning the fibres are easier to work with whilst hardwood grain structures grow slowly meaning the rings are closer together which makes the fibres stronger which makes it harder to manufacture than softwood making it more expensive

Question 20

What are polymers?

Answer 20

plastics, usually made from synthetic materials.

Question 21

What do most polymers come from?

Answer 21

The majority of ploymers that we use come from crude oil, which goes into a refinery that becomes disel fuel for example.

Question 22

What type of resource is polymer?

Answer 22

Polymer is a finite resource so it will eventualy run out.

Question 23

What are the two main polymer families

Answer 23

One of the main polymer families is thermoforming polymers (which can also be known as thermoplastic polymers), these polymers are heat warmed in order to be moulded.Most common day use plastics are thermoforming.

Another main plastic from polymer is thermosetting polymers, these polymers are heat warmed although it uses a chemical reaction.It is not very common although It is commonly used in electricity. They are commonly used for plug sockets and light switches as they are resistant to electricity.

Question 24

NOTE:

Answer 24

Check CGP autumn DT book to see the diagram of atoms for thermoforming and thermosetting plastics

Question 25

What are polymer additives and why are they used

Answer 25

• You use polymer additives to change its pigment,these pigments are usually self finishing
• You can also use polymer additives to make it uv resistant by using a uv-protector to make it last longer against the sun

Question 26

State examples of thermoforming plastics

Answer 26

• Acrylic (PMMA)
• High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
• High Density Polythene (HDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polyethylene Terephthate (PET)

Question 27

State examples of thermosetting plastics

Answer 27

• Epoxy Resin
• Melamine Formaldehyde (MF)
• Phenol Formaldehyde (PF)
• Polyester Resin
• Urea Formaldehyde (UH)

Question 28

What type of plastic is polyethylene terephate (PET)

Answer 28

Thermosetting plastic

Question 29

What are the properties of polyethylene terephate (PET)

Answer 29

• Tough and durable
• Lightweight
• Food safe
• Impermeable to water
• Low water

Question 30

What are the common uses of polyethylene terephate (PET)

Answer 30

Drinks bottles,food packaging

Question 31

What type of plastic is polyvinyl chloride(PVC)

Answer 31

Thermoforming plastic

Question 32

What are the properties of polyvinyl chloride(PVC)

Answer 32

• Hard and tough
• Good chemical and weather resistance
• Low cost
• Can be rigid and flexible

Question 33

What are the common uses of polyvinyl chloride(PVC)

Answer 33

Pipes,guttering and window frames