1.2 Performance and characteristics of materials

layout paper

Thin translucent paper with a smooth surface.

sketching, quick ink , technical drawing, tracing.

cartridge paper

Off white paper usually with a slightly textured surface.

sketching, rendering in pencil, ink and pastel, can be used for printing

tracing paper

Translucent paper slightly thicker than layout paper.

for copying images when sketching

bleed proof paper

Similar to cartridge paper but it is bleed-proof so colours don't run.

Spirit-based marker rendering

treated paper

Plain paper with a clear binder or dye layer applied to help hold the image on the paper surface.

Photographic printing

watercolour paper

Available in absorbent, smooth, hot-pressed or the more textured cold-pressed and heavily textured rough. Watercolour painting

corrugated card

Usually with carton board outer layers and a corrugated middle layer, to provide impact protection; protective packaging products, model making, prototyping

bleached card

Chemically treated to brighten the surface to make it suitable for high-quality printing.

greeting cards , high quality packaging

mount board

Made from compressed fine cotton fibres to produce a rigid board.

presenting artwork, picture mounting, modelling

duplex card

Made up of two layers of paper, with the exterior often coated to make it more water-resistant and to give it a glossy sheen and waxy feel.

food packaging, disposable plates and cups

foil backed and laminated card

card with polymer film or foil applied to provide a water-resistant and/or heat insulating layer; often used for milk and juice cartons. The layer must be removed before recycling the paper pulp.

drinks packaging, take away box lids, milk cartons

metal effect card

High-quality card with a thin metal effect layer applied to the outer surface for enhanced aesthetics. Can be embossed.

gift boxes, high quality business cards

moulded paper pulp

Recycled paper pulp moulded when wet and dried to a specific shape. Usually smooth on the visible inside surface and rough textured on the outer surface.

eco friendly packaging, egg boxes, fruit packaging

foam board

Two outer layers of card with a foam middle core, available in a range of thicknesses

mood board backing, presentation boards, modelling

fluted pp sheet

Extruded sheet with integral 'flutes' or corrugations. Lightweight and easily bent along the flutes.

construction signs, storage boxes

translucent pp sheet

An extremely tough polymer sheet. Can be scored before bending to produce a plastic hinge, which can be folded many times. Virtually impossible to tear, water resistant.

packaging products, folders, boxes

styrofoam

Dense, closed cell foam, commonly blue in colour. Can be cut, shaped and sanded with standard workshop tools.

product modelling, formers for moulding

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Tough and flexible with good chemical resistance, easily coloured.

detergent and shampoo bottles, toys, carrier bags

Plastazote Foam

Closed cell polyethylene foam, tough, flexible, good impact resistance, impermeable to liquids.

protective packaging, swimming floats, exercise mats

cellulose acetate

transparent, tough, naturally biodegrades.

packaging film, membranes, photographic film

Polylactide

transparent, tough, naturally biodegrades

Biodegradable packaging film

Air seasoning

a traditional inexpensive method which involves stacking the wood under a shelter, protected from the rain. Air circulates between the planks to slowly remove the excess moisture

Kiln seasoning

a more expensive but controlled method which is very quick and can take just a few weeks. Planks are stacked onto trolleys and placed in the kiln where both temperature and humidity are controlled

oak

Hardwood. Hard, tough, durable, high density. Used in high-quality furniture and boat building. Finishes well, but contains an acid that corrodes steel

ash

Hardwood. Tough, flexible, good elasticity. Used for ladders, sports equipment. Is flexible, but can splinter

mahogany

Hardwood. Durable, medium density. Used in indoor furniture, window frames. Finishes well, but is prone to warping.

teak

hardwood. Hard, tough, straight grain, natural oils resist moisture, acids and alkalis.

Outdoor furniture laboratory benches, traditional boat decks

birch

hardwood. closed grain, heavy white wood. it is a smooth, thin layered bark deciduous tree. it accepts a variety of stains

beech

Hardwood. Hard, tough. Used in workshop benches, children's toys. Turns and finishes well, but is prone to warping.

pine

Softwood. Lightweight. Used in garden decking, floorboards, children's toys. Has a nice colour and grain pattern, but is prone to warping and knots can fall out and leave holes.

spruce

Softwood. Straight grain, resistant to splitting.

Indoor furniture

douglas fir

Softwood

Straight or slightly wavy grain, few knots, stable, good resistance to corrosion.

Veneers, plywood construction, joinery and construction work

larch

softwood

Hard, tough, attractive grain pattern fades to silver upon exposure outside.

Garden furniture, cladding, decking, fencing

cedar

softwood. Straight grain, can corrode ferrous metals due to acidic nature, low density, good sound damping and resistance to moisture.

exterior cladding, sheds, greenhouses, interior paneling

plywood

Manufactured board. Thin layers of wood glued 90 degrees to each other and compressed. Good strength in all directions, no grain weakness, always has an odd number of layers.

structural work, desk tops, floor boards

marine plywood

Manufactured board. Similar to plywood but is gap and void free and uses specialist water and boil proof glue to provide resistance to moisture.

Boat dashboards, boat lockers and panelling.

aeroply

Manufactured board. Plywood made from high quality timber such as birch. Very thin sheets that are lightweight and easy to bend.

Gliders, laminated furniture, jewellery items

flexible plywood

Manufactured board. Odd number of layers glued together, but the outer layers are open grained timber allowing the sheet to flex. Bent and glued around a former to create a solid shape.

Curved panels, laminated furniture

chipboard

Manufactured board. Wood chips compressed with resin such as urea formaldehyde.

Often veneered or covered with polymer laminate, kitchen worktops, units and flatpack furniture

MDF

Manufactured board. Compressed wood fibres with two smooth faces that is usually veneered.

Model making or mould making. Furniture items.

veneers

Thin slices of wood less than 3mm thick used to cover things to give a more desirable finish

MF laminates

Thin sheets of MF polymer, hard, tough and chemical resistant.

Decorative covering for chipboard, kitchen worktops.

wood toxicity

Dust and sap can be a health hazard for workers so wood has workplace exposure limits that must be met to protect workers.

rough sawn

The wood comes directly from seasoning and has rough surfaces produced from initial conversion. Rough sawn wood will have nominal sizes rather than accurate finished sizes.

planed square edge (PSE)

wood that has only one edge planed accurately, the rest are rough sawn.

planed all round (PAR)

Wood has sides and edges that are planed square, straight and level, leaving a smooth finish, and is ready to use. The PAR board is about 3mm smaller all round than the original rough sawn nominal size

natural wood

only available at the maximum width of the tree, to produce a bigger sheet planks need to be joined together.

manufactured boards

Available in bigger sizes so has more advantages to manufacturers

mouldings

some woods are made into mouldings such as skirting boards or wooden trims that are readily available in standard lengths.

copper ore

Chalcopyrite

aluminium ore

Bauxite

tin ore

Cassiterite

zinc ore

Zinc blende

aluminium

Non-ferrous metal. Lightweight, ductile, malleable, corrosion resistant, good conductor. Can be MIG and TIG welded - melting point 660 degrees.

Drinks cans, aircraft bodies, bike frame.

copper

Non-ferrous metal. Ductile, malleable, tough, corrosion restistant, good conductor. Can be soldered and brazed - melting point 1083 degrees.

Electrical wire, water pipes, central heating pipes

zinc

Non-ferrous metal. Low melting point, good corrosion resistance - melting point 420 degrees

Galvaniseing steel as a protective coating for dustbins, bucket, farm gates, Intricate die castings

silver

Non-ferrous metal. malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered - melting point 962 degrees.

Jewellery, cutlery

gold

Non-ferrous metal. Malleable, ductile, corrosion resistant, can be soldered - melting point 1063 degrees.

Jewellry, electronic components, switch components

titanium

Non-ferrous metal. Hard, similar strength to steel but More lightweight, high resistance to Corrosion - melting point 1668 degrees.

Joint replacements, tooth implants, spectacle frames, aircraft, spacecraft, golf clubs

tin

Non-ferrous metal. Ductile, malleable, low melting point, corrosion resistant - melting point 232 degrees.

Soft solder coatings for food cans, rarely used in pure form

low carbon steel

Ferrous metal. Ductile, high tensile Strength, tough, malleable, poor resistance to Corrosion. 0. 15 to 0.30 % Carbon content - melting point 1427 degrees.

Nuts bolts washers screws car bodies

medium carbon steel

Ferrous metal. Harder then low carbon Steel but less ductile, malleable and tough 0.30 to 0.70 % carbon.

Springs, gardening tools

cast iron

Ferrous metal. Hard outer shin but brittle core, good under compression. 3.5% carbon - melting point 1149 degrees.

Disc brakes, machine parts, engine blocks, sheet furniture

stainless steel

Ferrous alloy. Tough, hard, corrosion resistant. 18% chrome 8% nickel. melting point 1510 degrees.

Sinks, kitchen ware, cutlery

high speed steel (HSS)

Ferrous alloy. Hard, tough, high level of resistance to frictional heat. 18% tungsten, 4% Chromium. 1% vanadium 0.5 to 0.8% carbon.

Tool blades, drill bits, milling cutters, router bits

die steel (tool steel)

Ferrous alloy. Hard, tough.

Blanking punches and dies extruded dies fine press tools

bronze

Non-ferrous alloy. Tough corrosion resistant can be cost 90% copper 10% in melting temperature 850 to a 1000ﾟ

Statues, coins, bearings

brass

Non-ferrous alloy. Corrosion resistant good electrical inserm conductor low melting point costs well 65 cent copper 35 dissenting melting temperature 930ﾟ

Boat fittings, door furniture, cast vaves and taps

duralumin

Non-ferrous alloy. equivalent strength properties to low carbon steel but move lightweight, ductile, becomes harder as it works. 4% Copper 1% magnesium and manganese.

Aircraft parts, vehicle parts

pewter

Non-ferrous alloy. Malleable, low melting point, casts well. 85 to 99 % tin with the remainder consisting of copper and antimony. Melting point 170 to 230 degrees.

Tankards, flasks, goblets, decorative items.

sheet

Large flat sections of metal in varying thicknesses from less than one mm up to approximately 3 mm

plate

Generally thicker than 3 mm and narrower within sheet metals

bar

Solid form, flat bar, square bar, round bar, hexagonal bar

tube

Hollow in cross-section and can be square, rectangular, round or hexagonal

structural

Angular shapes such as H beams, L beams, I beams, tee bar and channel

production of polymers

Fractional distillation of crude oil. Seperates Hydrocarbons Which can further undergo cracking to create more desirable hydrocarbons.

Self finishing

A material that requires no secondary finishing process, for example polymers can have pigments added during manufacture so require no additional finishes.

safe working temperature

the temperature deemed safe for processing without possible degradation of the polymer properties.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Thermoplastic. Very tough, good chemical resistance, weatherproof, low rigidity.

Food containers (specifically bags), grocery bags, plastic wrap, squeeze detergent bottles, toys, food wrap film

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Thermoplastic. Can be a translucent form, weatherproof, tough, good chemical resistance. Safe working temperature 65 degrees.

Chemical drums, jerry cans, toys, household and kitchenware.

Polypropylene (PP)

Thermoplastic. Can be translucent, good chemical resistance, tough, good fatigue resistance. Safe working temperature 100 degrees.

Rope, folders, food containers, medical equipment.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

Thermoplastic. Hard, rigid, available in translucent, tough. safe working temperature 70 degrees.

Yoghurt pots, single use drink cups, toilet seats.

Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA)

Thermoplastic. Tough, hard, good chemical resistance. available in translucent. safe in working temperature 96 degrees.

Car light casings, CNC laser cut items, lighting units.

nylon

Thermoplastic. Tough, corrosion resistant, good temperature resistance, low coefficient of friction. Safe working temperature 150 degrees.

Bearings, gears, curtain rails, textiles, cable ties.

Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC)

Thermoplastic. Rigid, opaque, tough, hard, good weathering resistance, chemical resistance, fire retardant. safe working temperature 95 degrees.

Window frames, external doors, guttering and downpipes for buildings.

Flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Thermoplastic. Available in translucent, tough, flexible, good weathering resistance, chemical resistance. Safe working temperature 95 degrees.

Hose pipes, cable insulation, medical grade tubing, inflatable products.

Urea formaldehyde

Thermosetting. Hard, heat resistant, good electrical insulator, brittle. safe working temperature 80 degrees.

Electrical fittings, adhesives.

Melamine Formaldehyde (MF)

Thermosetting. Hard, opaque, tough, heat resistant food safe, chemical resistant. safe working temperature 130 degrees.

Decorative laminates, picnic ware, buttons.

Polyester Resin

Thermosetting. Rigid, heat resistant, chemical resistant, brittle. safe working temperature 95 degrees.

Castings, used in lay up process for glass reinforced plastic for boat hulls, car parts, chair seats.

Epoxy resin

Thermosetting. Rigid, clear, hard, tough, chemical resistant. Safe working temperature 80 to 200 degrees.

Adhesives, surface coatings, cardiac pace makers, aerospace applications.

Natural rubber (polyisoprene)

Elastomer. High tensile strength, low elongation, good hardness compared to other elastomers, tough, electrical insulator, good cold resistance.

Automotive industry- tires, tubes, hoses, gaskets, belts, balloons, toys, footwear.

Butadiene Rubber (BR)

Elastomer. Tough, excellent wear resistance against friction, good thermal resistance against friction, electrical insulator.

Vehicle tyres, shoe soles, toys, conveyor belts, water and pneumatic hoses

Neoprene (polychloroprene rubber)

Elastomer. Good thermal resistance, toughness, good oil and chemical resistance, excellent weather resistance, good abrasion resistance and electrical insulator.

Wetsuits, laptop cases, door seals, industrial wire insulation.

silicone

Elastomer. Good flexibility at low temperatures, poor abrasion resistance, good thermal resistance and temperature extremes.

Flexible ice cube trays, bakeware, seals for refrigerators, machinery lubricant, sealants, mould makings.

biodegradable polymers

A polymer that is made from renewable materials so can be better for the environment.

Natural bio-polymers

Made form natural materials such as starch.

Synthetic bio-polymers

Made from renewable resources but chemically engineered to break down more quickly.

Oxy-degradable polymer

Polymer breaks down in oxygen.

Photodegradable polymers

Polymer breaks down with exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light.