Developments In New Materials

Question 1

What is grapheme ?

Answer 1

A very thin 2 dimensional material layer of carbon

Question 2

What has grapheme been used for ?

Answer 2

Solar cells , used in paint . It is being developed for use in protective clothing , vehicles and even buildings , conductive ink

Question 3

What are some advantages of graphene ?

Answer 3

Transparent, conducts electricity and heat , extremely flexible, strong

Question 4

How is metal foam created?

Answer 4

Injecting gas into metals when in a liquid state

Question 5

What are some properties of metal foam?

Answer 5

Lightweight, high compressive strength,absorbs energy very well

Question 6

What can metal foam be used for ?

Answer 6

Soundproofing,crash protection,body armour,filtration, prosthetics

Question 7

What are some properties of titanium?

Answer 7

High corrosion resistance, high strength to density ratio

Question 8

What is titanium oxide used for?

Answer 8

White pigment in plastic and paint , sunscreen

Question 9

What are some types of coated metals ?

Answer 9

Anodised aluminium,nickel plated steels and polymer coated aluminium

Question 10

What is anodised aluminium?

Answer 10

Aluminium with a thick oxide layer created by passing a current through an electrolytic solution

Question 11

What does electrolysis increase in anodised aluminium?

Answer 11

Increases resistance to corrosion and wear and makes it easier to paint and glue

Question 12

How is nickel plated steel made ?

Answer 12

Use electrolysis to add the metal nickel to steel

Question 13

What is an advantage of coating steel in nickel

Answer 13

We can use a strong and cheap material and coat it in a thin layer of more expensive metal which is corrosion resistant and can add an attractive finish to a product

Question 14

How is polymer coated aluminium created?

Answer 14

By dip coating or powder coating the aluminium

Question 15

What products is dip coating used for?

Answer 15

Dishwasher racks and tool handles

Question 16

What is powder coating?

Answer 16

When the powder is sprayed on to the metal and the curled in an oven

Question 17

What does dip and powder coating do ?

Answer 17

It creates a layer of plastic around the metal which reduces the impact of exposure to air and moisture and provides an attractive and potentially colourful finish to the product

Question 18

What is a liquid crystal (LCD)

Answer 18

a laminated material of two layers of glass with a liquid crystal core that lets light go through when a voltage is applied or blocks the light when the voltage switched off

Question 19

What are LCDs used in ?

Answer 19

Digital watches and flat screens televisions

Question 20

What are nano materials used for ?

Answer 20

As surface coatings or thin films , tennis rackets , golf shoes, clothing ,socks

Question 21

Why are nano particles used ?

Answer 21

To make them stronger while not substantially increasing the weight and because they have antibacterial properties

Question 22

What is a modern material?

Answer 22

A material that has recently been developed for specific applications

Question 23

What is a smart material ?

Answer 23

A material that changes its properties in response to changes in its environment

Question 24

What do thermochromic pigments do ?

Answer 24

Change colour at specific temperatures?

Question 25

What are some uses for thermochromic pigments.

Answer 25

Test strips on battery’s ,plastic strips used for thermometers, Colour indicators,colour changing mugs, baby spoons , colour changing t shirts

Question 26

What happens to materials made from shape memory alloys if the are bent or deformed?

Answer 26

It will return to it original shape when heated

Question 27

Why is SMAs returning back to their original form ?

Answer 27

A response to a change in temperature is needed - movement is needed from an electrical current -a damaged product needs to be repaired

Question 28

What do photochromic pigments do ?

Answer 28

They change colour if the level of light changes

Question 29

What are some examples of photochromic pigments being used in?

Answer 29

Lenses in sunglasses that become lighter or darker depending on the light conditions -security markers that can only been seen in ultraviolet -photochromic windows that change their transparency according to how much light there is -bracelet that change colour to indicate that you are getting too much sun

Question 30

What are composites ?

Answer 30

A material that combines the properties of the materials that were used to make it

Question 31

What were the earliest known composites?

Answer 31

Bricks made by combining straw and mud

Question 32

What are some examples of composites

Answer 32

Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRP)

Question 33

What is (GRP) made up of?

Answer 33

Strands of glass fibres which are strong but brittle and flexible polymer

Question 34

What are technical textiles?

Answer 34

Textile materials are products that are manufactured for their technical and performance properties

Question 35

What are conductive fabrics ?

Answer 35

Fabrics that have either conductive fibres woven into them or conductive powders impregnated into them

Question 36

What are fire resistant fabric’s used for

Answer 36

Fire fighters suits children’s nightwear and furniture

Question 37

What does happens to nomexs material when near flames?

Answer 37

It thickens when heated therefore increasing protection while staying supple and flexible so that it does not impair movement

Question 38

What are some properties to nomex?

Answer 38

A lightweight material that is flame resistant and protects the wearer from heat , it is also breathable ,durable and abrasion resistant

Question 39

What is Kevlar ?

Answer 39

A material formed by combining terephthaloyl chloride and para phenylenediamine

Question 40

What is Kevlar often used in?

Answer 40

Personal armour ,bullet proof vests ,helmets ,face masks ,motorcycle safety clothing

Question 41

What are some advantages of Kevlar?

Answer 41

It does not melt , lightweight, resist attacks from chemicals,tensile strength

Question 42

What is a microfibres?

Answer 42

A very thin synthetic fibre .

Question 43

Why are microfibres often used in outdoor clothing?

Answer 43

Because they are breathable , durable , crease resistant and easy to care for

Question 44

What microfibres are used in sportswear and lingerie?

Answer 44

Fine polyamide and polyester microfibres

Question 45

What microfibre is used in shirts?

Answer 45

Tencel microfibres

Question 46

What does microencapsulation mean?

Answer 46

Very thin fibres hold chemicals in tiny capsules which break open releasing the chemicals

Question 47

What happens to microencapsulation in micro fibres?

Answer 47

The capsules gradually break , releasing chemicals like perfumes, insecticides or antiseptics which can be used to repel mosquitos and other insects