Material Groupings

Question 1

Softwood

Answer 1

Wood that usually comes from trees which are evergreen with pine needles and cones. They grow quickly causing the grain to be wider, resulting in less dense, less stable, and less hard timber.They grow best in cold, dry climates.

Question 2

Hardwood

Answer 2

Wood that usually comes from trees which are deciduous with broad leaves. They grow slowly causing the grain to be closer together, resulting in more dense, more stable, and more hard timber. They grow best in cold, dry climates.

Question 3

Manufactured boards

Answer 3

Sheet products that are formed when wood strips, veneers, chips or fibres are bonded together to create a composite material.

Question 4

Thermoplastic Polymers

Answer 4

Polymers that when heated become plastic, meaning they can be heated and reshaped repeatedly. This is due to the weakly bonded polymer chains that thermoplastics contain.

Question 5

Thermoset Polymers

Answer 5

Polymers that when heated become hard, meaning they cannot be reshaped. This is due to the strong cross links between polymer chains created when they undergo a chemical reaction which makes them permanently rigid

Question 6

Elastomers

Answer 6

Polymers with elastic properties, meaning they are able to be deformed by the application of force and then return to their original shape when the force is removed.

Question 7

Ferrous Metals

Answer 7

Metals or alloys that contain iron

Question 8

Non-Ferrous Metals

Answer 8

Metals or alloys that do not contain iron

Question 9

Alloys

Answer 9

A metal compound produced when a metal is combined with one or more other metals or elements.

Question 10

Composites

Answer 10

A composite is a combination of two or more materials. Composites combine the qualities of the materials being combined in order to improve the mechanical or other properties.

Question 11

Compliant materials

Answer 11

Those that have an inherent flexibility and are used extensively in model making and for printed material.

Question 12

Modern Materials

Answer 12

These are materials that have only been widely available in their current form the past 40-50 years.

Question 13

Smart Materials

Answer 13

Materials whose properties change in response to an external stimulus. This stimulus could be heat, light, moisture, movement or voltage.