Section A- Development in new materials (3.1.3)

Modern materials examples

Modern materials examples

• Graphene

• Metal foam

• Liquid crystal display

• coated metals

• nanomaterials

• Titanium

Smart materials examples

• Polymorph

• Shape memory alloy

• Quantum tunnelling composite

• Thermochromic materials

• Photochromic materials

Composite materials

• Glass reinforced plastic

• Carbon fibre reinforced plastics

Technical textiles

• Gore-Tex

• Kevlar

• Protective clothing

• Fire resistant fabrics

• Conductive fabrics

• Microfibres

Graphene

• Thinnest material to date.

• Strong.

• Lightweight.

• Conducts heat and electricity.

• It is a single layer of carbon atoms bound is a hexagonal lattice

Uses- Sports equipment, cooling technology in mobile phones, batteries, solar applications and aerospace.

Metal foam

• Good stiffness: weight ratio.

• Strong.

• Resist deformation.

• Can be made into complex geometrical forms.

• Good heat resistance and sound absorbency.

• They are a cellular structure made of metal with gas filled pores.

Uses- Weight saving and impact absorbing structures in metals.

Liquid crystal display

• They contain lots of pixels that display an image onscreen.

• A back light is used to light induvidual pixels.

• By changing the colours between red, green and blue millions of colour combinations can be displayed.

Uses- Used as displays in televisions, projectors, smartphones, digital clocks and calculators.

Coated metals

• Help protect metals.

• They make it more durable and reduce wear and tear.

• If a ferrous metal is unprotected it will be more likely to rust or corrode due to the enviroment.

Examples- galvanised steel, plastic coatings, anodising, painting anf thermoplastic dip coating.

Nanomaterials

• Materials/ substances made at a very small scale.

• Less than 100 nanometres in size

• Lightweight.

• Adds tensile strength.

• Adds rigidity.

Electronics, medicine, can be put in textiles to make them waterproof, resistant to bacteria, repel dirt and neutralise odours.

Titanium

• Used as an alloy.

• Found in the earth's crust.

• High strength

• Lightweight.

• Resists corrosion.

• Does not react with human tissue.

Uses- Missiles, spacecrafts, aircrafts and artificial joints.

Polymorph

• Can be shaped and then reshaped many times.

• Becomes flexible and easy to mould when heated.

• When cool it becomes stiff and strong.

Uses- Ergonomic handles, prototypes for mechanical parts and to make mouldings.

Shape memory alloy

• Revert back to original shape after being deformed by heat or another external stimulus.

• Super elasticity.

uses- Braces in dentistry, self-bending spoons in magic shows, expandable stents in surgery.

Thermochromic materials

• Temperature sensitive.

• Change colour depending on the temperature.

Uses- Incorporated into inks and printed onto plastics for a temperature indicator.

Photo chromic materials

• Change colour when exposed to different UV levels.

• The pigment degrades overtime due to exposure to UV light.

uses- Glasses lenses that darken when the sun is very bright, textiles, printing inks and novelty toys.

Glass reinforced plastic

• Polyester material reinforced with glass fibres.

• Strong.

• Lightweight.

Uses- boats, instrument cases.

Carbon reinforced plastic

• Thermosetting plastic reinforced with carbon fibres.

• High strength: weight ration.

• Very rigid.

Uses- Formula 1 car bodies, crash helmets, sports equiptment

Gore-Tex

• Breathable.

• Waterproof.

• Windproof.

  Uses- Outdoor clothing and insulation for wires and cables, sports clothing.

Protective clothing

• Chemical resistance.

• Particulate filtration.

• Flame resistant.

• Cut resistant.

• Outdoor protection and high visibility.

  Uses- Sports, medical,  hazardous and industrial environments.

Kevlar

• Very strong.

• Lightweight.

• Resistance toward corrosion and heat.

• Flexible.

• Durable.

  Uses- Aerospace engineering, body armour, bulletproof vests, protective clothing for motorcycle and car drivers.

Micro Fibres

• Lightweight.

• Resist wrinkling.

• Drape well.

• Retain shape and resist pilling.

• Relatively strong and durable.

• Breathable and comfortable.

  Uses- Used in medicine and cleaning.

Fire resistant materials

• Heat and flame resistant.

• Lightweight.

• Durable.

  Uses- Racing drivers and firefighters clothing.

Conductive fabrics

• Can conduct electric current or heat.

• Have fibres woven in like carbon and steel.