Material Properties - DT IGCSE revision

Hardness - Softness

a measure of how easily a material can be scratched or indented. often also very brittle —> low resistance to impact

Brittleness

the property of a material that fractures when subjected to stress but has a little tendency to deform before rupture

Flexibility - Stiffness

a flexible material has a low young’s modulus and changes its shape considerably. requires high loads to elastically deform it

Ductility

the ability of a material to stretch thin when tensile stress is applied. significant plastic deformation occurs before the material ruptures or breaks.

Malleability

the quality of something that can be shaped into something else without breaking. can be flattened into thin sheets by hammering or rolling

Durability

the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage. remain serviceable in the surrounding environment during its useful life without damage

Electrical Conductor - Insulator

the measure of the ease at which an electric charge can pass through a material. a material which gives very little resistance to the flow of an electric current

Thermal Conductor - Insulator

a materials property used to compare the heat transfer ability of different materials

Corrosive - Rusts

the deterioration of a material as it reacts with its environment. materials containing iron is considered as rusting

Toughness

the ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing

Strength

the ability to withstand an applied load without failure or plastic deformation.

Weight - Mass

the force exerted on a body by gravity, used to describe if the material is lightweight or heavy