1.2 Classification of Materials

Define a ferrous metal & give 3 examples

• A metal containing mostly iron and carbon

• Ferrous metals are magnetic and will rust

• For example, low carbon steel, medium carbon steel & cast iron

Define non-ferrous metal & give 3 examples

• A metal that does not contain iron

• Non-ferrous metals are not magnetic and will not rust

• For example, aluminium, copper, zinc

Define an alloy and give three examples of each

• An alloy is a metal made of two or more metals

• Ferrous alloys: stainless steel, die steel, high speed steel (HSS)

• Non-ferrous alloys: bronze, brass, duralumin, pewter

Define hardwood and give three examples

A wood from broadleaved (deciduous) trees.

Oak, ash, mahogany, teak, birch, beech

Define softwood and give three examples

Wood from a coniferous tree

Pine, spruce, redwood, Douglas fir, cedar, larch

Define manufactured boards and give three examples

A man-made wood-based composite material

Plywood, chipboard, MDF, marine plywood, aero ply, flexible plywood

State the three categorisations of polymers

Thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, elastomers

Define a Thermoplastic and give three examples

A material that can be repeatedly reheated and reshaped

LDPE, HDPE, PP, HIPS, ABS, PET, PVC, PMMA

Define thermosetting polymers and give three examples

A material which when heated undergoes a chemical change whereby molecules form rigid cross-links. They cannot be reshaped.

UF, MF, epoxy resin, polyester resin

Define and elastomer and give three examples

A material which at room temperature can be performed under pressure and then release of the pressure will return to its original shape

Silicone, neoprene, natural rubber, polybutadience

Describe papers and boards and give three examples

They are compliant materials meaning they can be scored, folded, and cut to form items such as nets for packaging

Layout paper, cartridge paper, tracing paper

Define a composite material And it’s three types with examples

A material comprised of two or more different materials results in a material with enhanced properties. Composites can be fibre-based, particle-based, or sheet based

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) & concrete

Define a smart material and give three examples

A material whose physical properties change in response to an input or change in the environment such as electricity, pressure, temperature, or light

Shape memory alloys (SMA’s), Piezo electric materials, photochromic pigments

Define a modern material and give three examples

A material development through the invention of a new or improved process

Kevlar, PMC, high density modelling foam, polymorph