selection of materials or components influenced by a range of factors Flashcards
What are aesthetical properties?
- Aesthetic properties are how a material or components looks.
- This includes shape, colour, texture, form, reflection, gloss, style etc.
What are functional properties?
- Functional properties refer to how a material or component works for the intended use.
- Function includes performance, efficiency, reliability and operation
What is aluminum?
Aluminium is a very light metal, strong at low temperatures, corrosion resistant and a very good conductor of electricity and heat. Aluminium is a good reflector of light, non-toxic and non-sparking.
What is copper?
Copper is corrosion-resistant and highly malleable, durable and ductile. It can have a wide chromatic appeal from red, brown to gold, silver and green. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat.
What is brass?
Brass is a copper alloy (with zinc) and is also corrosion-resistant, but harder than copper. It is malleable, ductile and conducts heat and electricity well, but can be easily scratched. Brass can have a bright gold appearance, and also hints of silver-white and red-brown
What is pewter?
Pewter is a soft alloy with a very low melting point, perfect for casting. Pewter is like silver and can be polished to be very shiny, but it will also tarnish easily.
What is mild steel?
Mild steel has high tensile and impact strength and good ductility. It is magnetic and malleable but not suited to heat treatments to improve properties. Mild steel will corrode easily and will require finishing.
What is oak?
Oak is a mid-brown colour with prominent grain. Very strong and durable, it is perfect for furniture and doors, skirtings and cabinets.
What is pine?
Pine is a soft pale white or yellow timber with straight grain. It is quite lightweight and resists shrinking and swelling. Popular for country furniture, knotty pine is also common.
What is plywood?
Plywood is a manufactured board of veneer layers glued at an angle of 90 degrees, for added strength and rigidity. Edges can look unsightly. Plywood is often improved with a veneer of high-quality wood.
What is MDF?
MDF is a cheap, man-made board with no grain. It is very versatile but will require a finish. It is available in various thicknesses.
What is global manufacture?
- This is when parts of products are made in different locations.
- The benefits include cheaper labour and investing in poorer countries’ economies.
- However, this can result in child exploitation and unfair conditions!
- Fair Trade tries to ensure that everyone benefits.
How can we reduce biodiversity and deforestation?
- We must avoid damage to natural habitats and source materials sustainably.
- The Six Rs help!
- FSC and managed forests supply sustainable timbers.
- Select recycled materials over virgin materials.
- Protect wildlife and natural eco systems.
What determines the price of a prototype?
- energy costs to power machinery
- labour costs – prototypes can be one off, hand-made items
- CAD/CAM CNC are very expensive
- intellectual property to protect that brilliant invention.
