main categories of materials
Paper/board, wood, metal, polymers, fabrics
physical properties
absorbency, density, fusibility, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity
working properties
strength, hardness, malleability, toughness, elasticity
board classification
weighs over 200 gsm
paper classification
weighs under 200 gsm
3 types of paper
grid paper, cartridge paper, tracing paper
grid paper uses
scale drawings, quick sketches
cartridge paper uses
drawings, pencil, charcoal, paintings
tracing paper uses
copying, tracing
3 types of board
corrugated card, solid white board, inkjet card
corrugated card uses
packaging and boxes
solid white board uses
high quality packaging, printing, book covers
inkjet card uses
high quality photographs
types of timber
hardwoods, softwoods, man-made
hardwood definition
come from a broad-leafed deciduous tree that loses its leaves over winter
3 hardwood examples
oak, maple, willow
softwood definition
come from conifers: evergreen trees that keep their needles all year round
3 softwood examples
pine, cedar, spruce
man-made board definition
sheets of timber made by gluing either wood fibres or wood layers together
3 man made board examples
MDF, plywood, block board
types of metals
ferrous, non-ferrous, alloys
ferrous properties
contains iron, almost always magnetic
ferrous examples
carbon steel, cast iron, wrought iron
non-ferrous properties
do not contain iron, not magnetic
non-ferrous examples
copper, aluminium, tin
alloy properties
metals that have been mixed together, combined properties
3 steps of converting raw metals into products
mining/extraction, forming, recycling
mining/extraction
metals extracted from the earth are often mixed with others. these are separated by chemical reactions at heat to get the desired metal
forming
after extraction, the metal is melted down and cast/formed into the desired product
recycling
at the end of its usable life, metal can be recycled by melting it down and reforming it. this reduces the amount of new metal needed
types of polymers
thermoforming, thermosetting
thermoforming definition
they contain no cross linkage molecules: can be easily melted, moulded, and reformed. they are recyclable
thermoforming polymer examples
PLA, ABS, acrylic
thermosetting definition
undergo a chemical change when formed: permanently rigid, resistant to heat, not recyclable
thermosetting polymer examples
epoxy resin, melanin formaldehyde, polyester resin
types of fibres
natural fibres, synthetic fibres, mixed fibres
natural fibres definition
come from biological sources. renewable and biodegradable
natural fibres examples
silk (lightweight), cotton (soft)
synthetic fibres definition
made from chemical sources/fossil fuels. Not sustainable/biodegradable
synthetic fibres examples
polyester (durable), nylon (non-absorbent)polyester (durable), nylon (non-absorbent)polyester (durable), nylon (non-absorbent)
mixed fibres definition
2 or more fibres spun together to produce yarn. combines different fibres with desirable properties
mixed fibres examples
polycotton (durable), terrywool (elasticity)
fabric structures
woven, non-woven, knitted
woven
interlocking two sets of yarn at 90 degrees. fabrics tend to be very strong. used in clothes
non-woven
fibres are bonded by mechanical, chemical, or thermal method. used in disposable cloths
knitted
interlocking loops of yarn together. used in clothes
knitted fabric types
weft knit, warp knit
weft knit
stretchy and warm, can unravel
weft saying
‘weft can go left‘
warp knit
less stretchy, unlikely to unravel
technical textiles
engineered for performance, not aesthetics
nomex properties
heat and flame resistant
nomex uses
racing drivers, fire people, astronauts, oven gloves
kevlar properties
resistant to abrasion and damage by sharp/pointed objects
kevlar uses
stab/bullet resistant vests for police, car/motorcycle tyres
coolmax properties
wicks water away from body, improves breathability
coolmax uses
bedding, sportswear, uniforms, underwear
modern materials examples
polymorph, flexi ply, teflon
polymorph
can be moulded/remoulded at 60 degrees in water
polymorph uses
modelling, rapid prototyping
flexi ply
plywood that is very flexible, easily bent
flexi ply uses
furniture
teflon uses
non-stick pans
smart materials
respond to external stimuli
smart material examples
SMA, thermochromics pigment, photochromic material
SMA uses
glasses, springs
thermochromics pigment uses
colour changing mugs
photochromic material uses
car windshields, glasses
composite materials
kevlar (bullet proof vests), glass reinforces plastic (boats)