Developments in new materials

Question 1

What are modern materials?

Answer 1

A material that has been engineered to have improved properties

Question 2

What are the properties of graphene?

Answer 2

A light and strong layer of graphite. It is a good conductor and is quite cheap

Question 3

What is graphene used for?

Answer 3

1. Tennis rackets
2. aerospace applications
3. flexible electronics (e.g. folding phone)

Question 4

What are the properties of metal foams?

Answer 4

Gas-filled spaces make them lightweight but still tough, stiff and strong under compression

Question 5

What are metal foams used for?

Answer 5

Car parts and bone implants

Question 6

What are the properties of titanium?

Answer 6

Corrosion resistant and high strength to weight ratio

Question 7

What is titanium used for?

Answer 7

1. Bone replacements
2. dental implants
3. bikes
4. ships
5. armour
6. the aerospace industry

Question 8

What are the properties of LCDs?

Answer 8

thin, lightweight and energy efficient

Question 9

What does LCD stand for?

Answer 9

Liquid Crystal Display

Question 10

What are coated metals?

Answer 10

Metals coated in a different materials to alter their properties

Question 11

What are some examples of coated metals?

Answer 11

1. galvanising
2. anodised aluminium (coated with iron oxide to make harder)
3. PVC coating (for colours and corrosion resistance)

Question 12

What are nanomaterials made up of?

Answer 12

Tiny particles used to improve material properties

Question 13

What are some examples of nanomaterials?

Answer 13

1. Self cleaning fabrics
2. antibacterial fabrics
3. carbon nanotubes (for sports equipment)

Question 14

What are smart materials?

Answer 14

Materials that can change their properties due to external factors

Question 15

What do photochromic pigments do?

Answer 15

Darken when exposed to specific kinds of light (usually UV)

Question 16

What are photochromic pigments used for?

Answer 16

1. lenses
2. colour changing cutlery
3. colour changing inks

Question 17

What are shape memory alloys?

Answer 17

Alloys that can ‘remember’ their original shape

Question 18

What are composites?

Answer 18

2 or more materials bonded together

Question 19

Give 2 examples of composite materials

Answer 19

GRP and CFRP

Question 20

What is GRP used for?

Answer 20

Boats or kayaks

Question 21

What is CFRP used for?

Answer 21

Sports equipment or race cars

Question 22

What are the properties of kevlar?

Answer 22

strong

Question 23

What is kevlar used for?

Answer 23

bullet proof vests or reinforcing tyres

Question 24

What are the properties of nomex?

Answer 24

fire resistant

Question 25

What are the properties of micro-encapulation

Answer 25

Chemicals coated in small shells

Question 26

What is nomex used for

Answer 26

firefighter overalls

Question 27

What is microencapulation used for?

Answer 27

odour neutralisers and perfumes

Question 28

What are the properties of conductive fabrics?

Answer 28

fibres that conduct electroicity

Question 29

What are conductive fabrics used for?

Answer 29

touchscreen gloves