Materials Flashcards
Give some examples of
physical properties.
- absorbency
- density
- fusibility
- electrical conductivity
- thermal conductivity
Give some examples of
working properties.
- strength
- hardness
- toughness
- malleability
- elasticity
Define
paper.
anything that weighs under 200g/sm
cartridge paper is an exception
Define
board.
anything that weighs over 200g/sm
cartridge paper is an exception
What are papers and boards made from?
natural fibres (cellulose) from wood and recycled waste paper
What are the characteristics of
bleed-proof paper?
smooth, thick, prevents ink from bleeding
What are the characteristics of
cartridge paper?
heavy, textured, thick
What are the characteristics of
grid paper?
white, printed grid of isometric lines/squares
What are the characteristics of
layout paper?
thin, lightweight, inexpensive, smooth, relatively transparent
What are the characteristics of
tracing paper?
thin, transparent, smooth surface
smooth so that ink can be transferred
What are the uses of
bleed-proof paper?
quality presentational drawings
What are the uses of
cartridge paper?
drawings, pencil, charcoal and paintings
What are the uses of
grid paper?
scale drawings, quick sketches
What are the uses of
layout paper?
general design work
What are the uses of
tracing paper?
copying and tracing
What are the characteristics of
corrugated card?
two or more layers of card, fluted layer to add strength
What are the characteristics of
duplex board?
usually one smooth side, often printed
What are the characteristics of
foil-lined board?
card lined with aluminium foil
(provides insulation)
What are the characteristics of
inkjet card?
smooth, treated card for high quality finish
What are the characteristics of
solid white board?
strong, high quality, bleached card for printing
What are the uses of
corrugated card?
packaging and boxes to protect from damage
What are the uses of
duplex board?
food packaging that requires printing on one side
What are the uses of
foil-lined board?
takeaway food packaging
What are the uses of
inkjet card?
high quality photographs
What are the uses of
solid white board?
high quality packaging printing and book covers
Define
timber.
the general name given to wood materials once they have been processed into useable forms such as planks and strips
What are the three main types of timber?
- hardwoods
- softwoods
- manufactured boards
Define
hardwoods.
come from broad-leaved deciduous trees that loose their leaves over winter
Define
softwoods.
come from conifers, evergreen trees that keep their needles all year round
Define
man made wood.
(manufactured boards)
sheets of timber made by gluing either wood fibres or wood layers together
What are some examples of
hardwoods?
oak, beech, maple, willow, birch, teak, mahogany, walnut, olive
What are some examples of
soft woods?
pine, cedar, spruce, fir
What are some examples of
man-made wood?
(manufactured boards)
MDF, plywood
How is metal made?
Metal is made by extracting metal ores from rocks in the earth’s crust by mining. The metal ore is then processed and refined to create a more useable material with improved properties.
What are the three main categories or types of metal?
- ferrous metals
- non-ferrous metals
- alloys
What are
ferrous metals?
metals that contain iron
(almost all are magnetic)
What are
non-ferrous metals?
metals that do not contain iron
(they are not magnetic)
What are
alloys?
metals that have been alloyed
(mixed with other metals to improve their physical properties)
What are some examples of
ferrous metals?
- cast iron
- wrought iron
- carbon steel (also an alloy)
What are some examples of
non-ferrous metals?
- aluminium
- copper
- tin
What are some examples of
alloys?
- brass
- stainless steel
- high speed steel
Define
polymers
man-made materials that are used in a wide range of products
(such as plastics)
What are
thermopolymers?
(aka thermal forming polymers)
Polymers that contain no cross-linkage molecules so they are not very resistant to heat. They can be easily melted, moulded and often re-formed. They are recyclable.
What are some examples of
thermopolymers?
(aka thermo forming polymers)
- acrylic
- PLA
- ABS
- HIPS
- HDPE
- PVC
- PET
What is acrylic used for?
windows, lenses, signs
What is PLA used for?
disposble cutlery, plastic film, bottles, shrink wrap, food packaging
What is ABS used for?
LEGO, computer keys, seatbelts, hoovers, toasters, coffee makers
(it is durable, strong and chemically resistant)
What is HIPS used for?
soft drinks cups, food packaging, plastic cutlery, yoghurt containers
What is HDPE used for?
ropes, pipes, chairs, stools, bottle crates, toys, plastic bags, playground equipment, plastic bottles, boats, kayaks
What is PVC used for?
tupperware, plastic bottles, bank card, plumbing
What is PET used for?
bottles
(it is waterproof and food safe)
What are
thermosetting polymers?
Polymers that undergo a chemical change when formed that make them permanently rigid and resistant to heat and fire. They cannot be re-formed and are not recyclable.
What are some examples of
thermosetting polymers?
- epoxy resin
- melamine formaldehyde
- polyester resin
- urea formaldehyde
What is epoxy resin used for?
countertops, flooring, bathtubs, sinks, wind turbine blades
What is melamine formaldehyde used for?
cabinets, counters, laminated panels, glues, kitchen utensils, plates, whiteboards
What is polyester resin used for?
boat building, flat roofing, pond building, surfboards, bumpers, gutters, garden ponds
What is urea formaldehyde used for?
textiles, paper
What are
fibres?
Hair-like structures that are spun together to make yarns. These yarns are woven together to create fabric.
What are the main categories of fibres?
- natural fibres
- synthetic fibres
- blended and mixed fibres
What are
natural fibres?
Fibres that come from biological sources (plants and animals). They are renewable and biodegradable.
What are
synthetic fibres?
Polymers manufactured from chemical sources or fossil fuels. Most synthetic fibres are not sustainable or biodegradable.
What are
blended and mixed fibres?
Fibres that are made from spinning two or more types of fibre together to produce a yarn. Fabrics are blended to combine different fibres with desirable properties.
What are some examples of
natural fibres?
cotton, wool, silk, linen, cashmere
What are some examples of
synthetic fibres?
polyester, nylon
What are some examples of
blended and mixed fibres?
polycotton, terrywool
What are some characteristics of
cotton?
(and what it comes from)
breathable, absorbant, soft, easily creased, durable
(comes from cotton plant)
What are some uses of
cotton?
summer clothes, makeup remover, yarn, diapers, coffee filters
What are some characteristics of
wool?
(and what it comes from)
curly, elastic, insulating, absorbant, fire resistant, anti-wrinkle
(comes from sheep)
What are some uses of
wool?
clothing, blankets, upholstey, yarn, carpets
What are some characteristics of
silk?
(and what it comes from)
strong, soft, aesthetic, breathable, satin-y, shimmery, durable, elastic, biodegradable, hypoallergenic
What are some uses of
silk?
clothing, bedding, table runners
What are some characteristics of
linen?
(and what it comes from)
strong, quick-drying, holds colour well, durable, absorbant, wrinkles easily
(comes from flaxplant)
What are some uses of
linen?
clothing, bedding, curtains
What are some characteristics of
cashmere?
(and what it comes from)
soft, luxurious, silky, lightweight, expensive, warm
(comes from goats hair)
What are some uses of
cashmere?
cardigans, sweaters, gloves, socks, scarves, bed throw
What are some characteristics of
polyester?
- durable
- lightweight
- not absorbant
- not breathable
- doesn’t need ironing
- quick-drying
What are some uses of
polyester?
clothing, bedspreads, upholstery, carpets
What are some characteristics of
nylon?
elastic, strong, quick-drying, soft, not absorbant
What are some uses of
nylon?
active wear, socks, swimwear, windbreaks, tents
What are some characteristics of
polycotton?
(and what it is a mix of)
durable, anti-crease, breathable, soft
(made of polyester and cotton)
What are some uses of
polycotton?
bed sheets, clothes, upholstery
What are some characteristics of
terrywool?
(and what it is a mix of)
elastic, thin, lightweight
(made of silk, linen, polyester, etc)
What are some uses of
terrywool?
baby towels and clothing, blankets, towels
What are
textile fabrics?
Materials which are made from natural or synthetic fibres.
What are some structures of textiles?
- woven
- non-woven
- knitted
What are
woven fabrics?
Fabrics that are made by interlocking two sets of yarn, 90 degree to another. These fabrics tend to be very strong. Used in clothes.
(e.g. shirts, blazer)
What are
non-woven fabrics?
Fabrics that are made from fibres that are bonded by mechanical, chemical or thermal methods. Used in disposable cloths.
(e.g. felt)
What are
knitted fabrics?
Fabrics that are made by interlocking loops of yarn together. Used in clothes. Elastic.
What are the two different types of knitted fabrics?
- weft knit fabric
- warp-knit fabric
What is
weft knit fabric?
and how to remember it
A type of knitted fabric that is made by hand or machine across a yarn that forms interlocking loops across the width of the fabric. It is stretchy and warm. However, it can lose its shape and unravel easily.
‘weft can go left’
What is
warp-knit fabric?
A type of knitted fabric that is made by machine using yarn that form vertical interlocking loops. It is less stretchy than weft-knitted fabric, but it retains its shape better and is less likely to unravel.
What are
technical textiles?
Textiles that are engineered specifically for their performance properties, not for their aesthetic value.
What are the properties and uses of
nomex?
heat and flame resistant
protective clothing for racing drivers, fire people, astronauts, oven gloves
What are the properties and uses of
kevlar?
resistant to abrasion and damage to sharp or pointed objects
stab and bullet resistant vests for police and armed officer, car and motorcycle tyres
What are the properties and uses of
coolmax?
wicks water away from body (so that it evaporates very quickly), improves breathability
bedding, sportswear, uniform, underwear, socks
What are the properties and uses of
fastskin?
mimics the skin of a shark, giving a streamlining effect when underwater
competitive sportswear and swimwear
What are
modern materials?
Materials that were present within the last century and are continually being developed through the invention of new or improves processes.
What is
polymorph?
and some uses
A thermoforming plastic that is easy to colour and comes in the form of polymer granules. When heated to 65 degrees in warm water the granules melt and can be moulded into shape like playdough.
It is used for modelling, rapid prototyping and ergonomic handles.
What is
lenticular plastic sheet?
and some uses
A plastic sheet that is smooth on one side while the other side is made of small lenses. These lenses transform 2D images into a variety of visual illusions.
It is used for 3D effects, marketing and one way glass.
What is
flexi ply?
and some uses
A form of plywood that is extremely flexible and can quite easily be bent into various shapes.
It is used for furniture, dt chairs, boat building and signs.
What is
teflon?
and some uses
“They’re like solid teflon - never bothered never, harassed. I would give anything to be like that.”
A brand that makes thermosetting plastics that are mainly used as a non-stick coating on cookware, but it is also used in paints, fabrics, carpets and clothing to repel liquid.
It is used for pans and waterproof fabrics.
What is
precious metal clay?
and some uses
A clay that is made from 99% silver or gold and 1% clay. It can be shaped at room temperature then heated in a kiln to make jewellery.
It is used for jewellery and beads.
What are
conductive polymers?
and some uses
Plastic products that can conduct electricity.
They are used for circuits, wireless charging and LEDs.
What are
smart materials?
Materials that respond to difference in temperature or light and change in some way. They are called smart because they sense conditions in their environment and respond.
What is
shape memory alloy (SMA)?
and some uses
An alloy that remembers its original shape when deformed and returns to it when heated.
It is used for glasses frames and springs.
What are
shape memory polymers (SMP)?
and some uses
Polymers that can be programmed to remember their original shape once heated.
They can be used for medical applications.
What is
thermochromics sheet?
and some uses
A sheet that is printed with liquid crystal ink that changes colour above 27 degrees. It is used in children’s toys, jewellery and temperature indicators.
It is used for mood rings and temperature indicators.
What are
thermochromic pigments?
and some uses
They are pigments that are often used on novelty mugs that reveal a design when hot water is poured into the mug.
They are used for colour changing mugs and paint
What is
photochromic material?
and some uses
A material that reacts to light. Spectacles that darken in bright sunlight use photochromic lenses.
It is used for glasses and car windows.
What are
self healing materials?
and some uses
Materials that have the ability to detect and repair damage done to them. They have embedded capsules that release adhesive when broke.
They are used for cutting mats, chopping boards and device keyboards
What are
composite materials?
Materials that are produced by bonding different materials to produce new materials with improved properties. Composite materials are increasingly used in place of metals in machine tools.
What are two examples of composite materials?
- glass reinforced plastic (GRP)
- kevlar
What is
glass reinforced plastic (GRP)?
and some uses
A polyester resin reinforced with glass fibre strands. It has all the properties of a polymer but is much stronger. It is used for large structural items such as boats and car bodies.
It is used for boat hulls and car bodies.
What are
standard components?
Parts that are used in many different products.
Why are standard components used?
- Some types of components are used in many different products
- To make these parts in small quantities can be very expensive due to the time and equipment required
- Companies that have production lines dedicated to making these standard components can: buy materials in bulk, getting lower prices; divide the equipment cost across millions of parts; automate the processes and use labour efficiently; ensure that the consistency and quality of the products are maintained
- These standard parts can then be bought at a low cost by whoever needs them
What are some types of standard components used with
paper and board?
- clips
- fasteners
- bindings
What are some types of standard components used with
timber?
- hinges
- brackets
- screws
- nails
- handles
What are some types of standard components used with
polymers?
- bottle caps
- fasteners
- nuts and bolts
What are some types of standard components used with
fibres and fabrics?
- zips
- buttons
- poppers
- press studs
- velcro
- sequins
- beads
What are some types of standard components used with
metals?
- nuts and bolts
- rivets
- hinges
What are some types of standard components that are
electrical components?
- resistors
- capacitators
- diodes
- transistors
- microcontrollers
- switches
- motors
What are some types of standard components that are
mechanical components?
- levers
- linkages
- gears
- cams
- pulleys
- belts
