Materials Flashcards
What are Thermosetting Plastics?
Thermosetting Plastics are plastics that, when heated and moulded, can’t be remoulded into a new shape, as the bonds between molecules are very strong
What are some examples of products that use Thermosetting Plastics?
Some adhesives, such as Araldite, use Thermosetting Plastics.
Melamine Formaldehyde is often used for kitchen laminate surfaces, as it is very smooth and has hygienic qualities.
What are Thermoplastics?
Thermoplastics are plastics that can be reheated and reshaped multiple times. They don’t undergo significant chemical changes when heated so can be recycled fairly easily.
What are some examples of Thermoplastics?
Acrylic is a common material found in school workshops, which is often supplied in sheets. It is easy to cut and can polish well.
Low Density Polythene is flexible, tough and soft. It is often used in things such as bottles and plastic bags.
What are Hardwoods?
Hardwoods are often produced from trees that lose their leaves in winter, and often take a longer time to grow. They are often harder than Softwoods, though there are a few acceptions.
What are some examples of Hardwoods?
European Oak is high quality, straight grained timber that can be easily worked with sharp hand tools. It is often used for cabinet making and quality furniture, as well as boat building.
Balsa is a soft and easy wood to work with, and is an acception to the view that all Hardwoods are hard. It is often used in model making and packing delicate items.
What are Softwoods?
Softwoods often come from fast growing evergreen trees. They are softer and cheaper than Hardwoods and are often used in the construction and paper producing industries.
What are some examples of Softwoods?
Parana Pine is a straight grain, virtually knot free wood that easy to cut, shape and achieve a smooth finish on. It is often used in the manufacture of furniture and the production of plywood.
Red Cedar is a Softwood that has a straight grain and can easily be worked with tools and machines. It also has a nice smell when cut. It is used for decking and general construction.
What are Ferrous Metals?
Ferrous Metals are metals that contain Iron. Abraham Darby produced a way of creating Pig Iron in large quantities. He also developed a method of using sand castings to produce cast products to a very high standard. Iron is likely to break when dealt with a blow as it is brittle and can easily snap.
What is Steel?
Steel is a Ferrous Metal alloy that is heavily relied on in the modern world. Steel usually has a carbon content of 0.2 to 2.1%, and can be used in anything from machinery to cars.
Stainless Steel is an alloy of iron, nickel and chromium, that doesn’t rust or corrode. It is often used in cutlery and medical instruments.
What are Non-Ferrous Metals?
Non-Ferrous Metals are metals that don’t contain iron. They don’t rust or react to magnets.
What are some examples of Non-Ferrous Metals?
Aluminium is a soft, ductile metal alloy that works well on lathes and milling machines. It resists corrosion and can be used on things such as aircraft and cans.
Brass is copper alloy that machines and casts well. It can resist corrosion and can conduct electricity. It is often used for parts for electrical fittings and musical instruments.
What are Man Made Boards?
Man Made Boards are made in factories from resin and wood which binds together. they are commonly used for construction of interior fittings and production of furniture.
What are some examples of Man Made Boards?
Plywood is made of lots of thin veneers that are glued together with resin. The grains of the veneers are arranged so they are perpendicular with each other. Plywood can be used in various categories of the construction industry, and was once used to build Mosquito aircraft during the war.
Flexi Ply it a form of Plywood that can be easily formed into curved shapes. It is ideal for any product that requires curves, such as interior design and furniture.
What are some examples of Smart Materials?
Polymorph is a polymer that is supplied in granules and can be reshaped any number of times. When the granules reach 62 degrees Centigrade, they form a clear mass of material that can be shaped easily into any form. It is often used for 3D modelling.
Shape Memory Alloys are materials that can be “programed” to remember a shape. When they are clamped up in a jig and an electrical current is passed through them, then they will return to that shape, simply by placing them in hot water.
