Section A- Development in new materials (3.1.3)

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Thermochromic materials

* Temperature sensitive.
* Change colour depending on the temperature.

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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.

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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.