material properties

Question 1

What are the properties of maple wood?

Answer 1

Durable, strong, resistant to decay

Commonly used in furniture making and flooring.

Question 2

What are the key characteristics of oak wood?

Answer 2

Hard, close grain, dense, strong, water resistance

Ideal for boat building and high-quality furniture.

Question 3

What are the properties of pine wood?

Answer 3

Resists shrinking and swelling, lightweight, good elasticity

Often used in interior moulding and construction framing.

Question 4

List the uses of spruce wood.

Answer 4

• Boat building
• Furniture making
• Flooring

Spruce is known for its elastic properties and lightweight nature.

Question 5

What are the properties of cotton?

Answer 5

Soft, cool, breathable, absorbent

Commonly used for coffee filters and bookbinding.

Question 6

What are the properties and uses of silk?

Answer 6

Absorbency, elasticity, thermal regulation, shiny, breathability
* Bedding
* Parachutes

Valued for its luxurious feel and properties.

Question 7

What are the properties of wool?

Answer 7

Fire resistance, flexible, biodegradable

Used for upholstery and insulation.

Question 8

What are the key properties of copper?

Answer 8

Electric and heat conductive, corrosion resistance, malleable

Commonly found in door knobs and musical instruments.

Question 9

What are the properties of gold?

Answer 9

Malleable, good conductor of heat and electricity

Primarily used in jewellery and Olympic medals.

Question 10

What are the properties of tin?

Answer 10

Highly magnetic, high resistance to corrosion, malleable

Used in tin cans and containers for paints.

Question 11

What are the properties of silver?

Answer 11

Quite reactive, highest conductivity, soft, malleable

Often used for high-quality jewellery finishes.

Question 12

What are the properties of acrylic?

Answer 12

Strong except when wet, thermoforming, poor absorbency, good insulator

Commonly used in knitwear and upholstery.

Question 13

What are the properties of cellophane?

Answer 13

Transparent, tough, heat resistance

Frequently used in food packaging and wrapping.

Question 14

What is the main application of epoxy resin?

Answer 14

High tensile, corrosion resistance, heat resistant
* Coasters
* Keychains

Known for its durability in various products.

Question 15

What are the properties of Kevlar?

Answer 15

High strength, lightweight, resistant to corrosion

Used in bulletproof vests and car brakes.

Question 16

What are the properties of polyamide (nylon)?

Answer 16

Strong and hard wearing, melts as it burns, good elasticity, resistant to chemicals

Commonly found in clothing, rugs, and seatbelts.

Question 17

What are the properties of polypropylene?

Answer 17

Thermoforming, low melting point, durable, non-absorbent

Used in fishing nets and medical products.

Question 18

What are the properties of PVC?

Answer 18

Chemical resistance, durability, lightweight, insulator

Commonly used in pipes, flooring, and roofing systems.

Question 19

What are the properties of blockboard?

Answer 19

Insulation, cheap, durable, lightweight

Frequently used for bookshelves and doors.

Question 20

What are the uses of cellulose-based boards?

Answer 20

Weathering properties, high impact resistance
* Boxes
* Cartons
* Bags

Ideal for packaging and storage.

Question 21

What are the properties of chipboard?

Answer 21

Cheap, strong, dense, economical

Commonly used in kitchen worktops and flatpack furniture.

Question 22

What are the main properties of MDF?

Answer 22

Dense, flat, stiff, durable

Used for furniture, cabinets, and flooring.

Question 23

What are the properties of paper?

Answer 23

Flexible, absorbent, strong

Commonly used for books, writing paper, and packaging.

Question 24

What are the properties of aluminium alloy?

Answer 24

Corrosion resistance, reflectivity, thermal conductivity

Used in radiators and shutters.

Question 25

What are the properties of brass?

Answer 25

Highly malleable, conductive, corrosion resistance ## Footnote Commonly found in plumbing and musical instruments.

Question 26

What are the properties of pewter?

Answer 26

Resists tarnish, soft and malleable ## Footnote Often used for candlesticks and spoons.

Question 27

What are the properties of bronze?

Answer 27

High melting point, high ductility, high electrical and thermal conductivity ## Footnote Used in coins and furniture trim.

Question 28

What are the properties of carbon fibre?

Answer 28

Low density, the fibres are strong and light ## Footnote Commonly used in aircraft and sailboat masts.

Question 29

What are the properties of GRP?

Answer 29

High strength to weight ratio, lightweight, durable, non-conductive ## Footnote Commonly used in water pipes and drain coverage.

Question 30

What are the properties of low carbon steel?

Answer 30

Poor corrosion resistance, ductile, malleable ## Footnote Used in pipes and construction components.

Question 31

What are the properties of medium carbon steel?

Answer 31

Stronger, less ductile and less malleable, good corrosion resistance ## Footnote Commonly used in railway tracks and gears.

Question 32

What are the properties of bonded materials?

Answer 32

Breathable, waterproof membranes ## Footnote Used in products like Gore-tex and permatex.

Question 33

What are the properties of laminated materials?

Answer 33

Strength, stability, sound insulation ## Footnote Commonly used in plywood and automotive applications.

Question 34

What are the properties of new SMART materials?

Answer 34

Properties that change reversibly depending on changes in surroundings ## Footnote Examples include shape memory alloys and thermochromic materials.

Question 35

What are the properties of foams?

Answer 35

Low density, flexible ## Footnote Commonly used in upholstery.

Question 36

What are the properties of rubbers?

Answer 36

Heat resistant, abrasion resistant, biodegradable (if natural rubber) ## Footnote Commonly found in tires and hoses.

Question 37

What are the properties of wood-based composites?

Answer 37

Durable, specific strength & stiffness ## Footnote Used in support structures in buildings and furniture.

Question 38

What are the properties of metallised components?

Answer 38

Abrasion resistant, lightweight, prevents oxidation ## Footnote Commonly used in mirrors and some packaging.