Unit 3 - Materials and their working properties

layout paper

medium opacity smooth finish 60-90 gsm used for sketch and design work

tracing paper

off white low opacity 60-90 gsm used for copying, overlays and tracing drawings

cartridge paper

thick white textured surface 120-150 gsm used for sketching, watercolours, ink drawings

bleedproof paper

thick coated prevents inks/marker pens bleeding 120-150 gsm used for high qualoty illustrations (rich in colour, vibrant)

grid paper

white printed grid of squares, isometric lines etc 80-100 gsm used for scale drawings, model making, scientific diagrams

corrugated card

two layers of lightweight card plus fluted layer for strength fully degradeable, recyclable used for packaging for impact protection/insulation

foil-lined board

card coated w al foil on one side to retain heat, keeping contents warm and creating a moisture barrier used for takeaway containers

duplex board

two layers of card bonded together w white external layer metallic or holographic finish tough and bright white used for packaging, w waxy coating for food and drink containers

foam core board

inner foam core w paper face rigid, stiff used for model making and mounting artworks

ink jet paper

treated card w smooth finish blled proof, printable surface used for printing photographs and artworks

solid white board

high quality card brilliant white smooth finish on both sides used for greeting cards, quality packaging, book covers

ash

hardwood pale brown flexible tough shock resistant laminates well used for sports equipment and tool handles

beech

hardwood fine finish tough durable beige w pink hue used for toys, models, furniture, veneers

mahogany

hardwood easily worked, durable, finshes well reddish brown used for high end furniture, joinery, veneers

balsa

hardwood very soft and spongy good strength to weight ratio pale cream/white used for prototyping and modelling

oak

hardwood tough, hard, durable can have high quality finish light brown used for flooring, furniture, railway sleepers, veneers

pine

softwood lightweight, easy to work can split and be resinous near knots pale yellowish brown

larch

softwood durable, tough, good water res good surface finish pale reddish brown used for exterior cladding, decking, flooring, machined mouldings, furniture, joinery, railway sleepers, veneers

spruce

softwood easy to work, high stoffness to weight ratio creamy white used for construction, furniture, instruments

chipboard

manufactured board good compressive strength not water resistant unless treated good value but prone to chipping on edges and corners used for flooring, low end furniture, kitchen untis, worktops

medium density fibreboard

manufactured board rigid, stable smooth, easy to finish surface very absorbent so not for damp areas used for good value flat pack furniture, toys, kitchen units, internal construction

plywood

manufactured board very stable due to alternate layering at 90o w outside layers running in same direction interior, exterior, marine grades for greater water res used for furniture, shelving, toys, construction

cast iron

ferrous metal hard but brittle resists deformation and rust used for kitchen pans, machine bases, manhole covers

low carbon/mild steel

ferrous metal tough and ductile rusts easily w out protection used for car bodies, steel building frames, pipelines

high carbon steel

ferrous metal hard but brittle hard wearing, resists abrasion, retains shape used for tools, blades, scissors

aluminium

non ferrous metal lightweight, ductile, resists corrosion used for bike frames, drink cans, takeaway trays

zinc

non ferrous metal brittle, malleable, high corrosion res used to galvanise steel

copper

non ferrous metal ductile, malleable, good el conductor used for plumbing spplies, el cables

tin

non ferrous metal malleable, ductile, high corrosion res, good el conductor used for solder, plating surfaces eg cans

high speed steel

alloy may include chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, cobalt, carbon can withstand high temp when machining at high speed used for cutting tools eg drill bits, mill cutters, taps, dies

stainless steel

alloy 0.03-0.08% low carbon and 10.5-26% chromium hard, ductile chromium layer protects steel from corrosion used for cutlery, kitchen and medical equip

brass

alloy of 65% copper and 35% zinc malleable, easily cast, good corrosion res used for instruments, plumbing fitments, ornate artefacts

thermoforming plastics

more flexible looser polymer chains that break apart when heated

thermosetting plastics

rigid cross-linked polymer chains that set when heated, cant be reformed

polypropylene (PP)

thermoforming flexible, tough, lightweight, food safe used for kitchen, medical products, rope

high density polyethylene (HDPE)

thermoforming lightweight, rip/chem res used for milk bottles, pipes, crates, wheelie bins

high impact polystyrene (HIPS)

thermoforming flexible, impact res, lightweight, can be food safe, used for vacuum forming used for yoghurt pots, vacuum formed products

polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

thermoforming blow moulded, chem res, fully recyclable used for drink bottles, food containers, yarn

acrylic (PMMA)

thermoforming tough but brittle when thin, easily scratched, formed and bonded used for car lights, alternative to glass, modern baths, clothing

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

thermoforming flexible, easily extruded, tough, chem res used for raincoats, pipes, el tape

polyester resin (PR)

thermosetting good el insulator, hard becomes tough when mixed w glass strands to form glass reinforced plastic (GRP) used for encapsulation and boath hulls as GRP

urea formaldehyde (UF)

thermosetting high tensile strength, heat res, good el insulator hard, brittle, easily injection moulded used for adhesives for bonding particle boards, decorative laminates, el casings

expoxy resin (ER)

thermosetting good strength:weight, good el insulator, heat res used for bonding waterproof coatings, el circuit boards

phenol formaldehyde (PF)

thermosetting heat res, good el insulator used for heat res candles, el components, snooker balls

melamine formaldehyde (MF)

thermosetting lightweight, hard, brittle used for worktops, surfaces, some kitchenware

cotton

natural fibre sourced from cotton plant soft, strong, absorbent washes and takes dyes well used for many clothing, towels, bed sheets

silk

natural fibre sourced from silkworm cocoon soft, fine, lightweight natural shine due triangular structure used for luxury clothing, underwear, ties, wall hangings, night clothes

wool

natural fibre sourced from sheep, goats, rabbits, camelids warm, naturally crease res, can shrink used for jumpers, coats, suits, blankets, carpets

polyamide (nylon)

synthetic fibres string, hard wearing, crease res used for rope, webbing, parachutes, sportswear, umbrellas

elastane (lycra)

synthetic fibre smooth, strong, elastic, retains shape, quick drying used for sportswear, swimwear, surgical supports

polyester

synthetic fibres tough, strong, hard wearing, non absorbent used for fleece, backpacks, threads, sportswear

plain weave

woven cloth strong, hard wearing, retains shape even surface on both sides diff yarns can create hard wearing weave used for tablecloths, upholstery, clothing

bonded fabric

non woven fabric fabrics lack strength no grain so can be cut in any direction, dont fray used for disposable hygienic clothing, cloths, teabags

felted fabric

non woven fabric can be formed w mositure and heat once dry, no elasticity, can be pulled apart used for hats, handicrafts, protective pads

weft knitting

knitted fabric made by hand/machine single yarn forms interlocking loops acroos width of fabric stretchy, can lose shape

warp knitting

knitted fabric made by machine forms interlocking vertical loops less stretchy so holds shape better