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Performance characteristics of materials
Official AQA section 3.1.2.
33
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaA LevelDesign And Technology Product DesignTechnical principles
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33 objective pages available
Performance characteristics of materials33 objectives
- Performance characteristics of papers and boards.
- Students should be able to name different types of papers and boards.
- Students should be able to describe the performance characteristics of papers and boards, including: • the ability to be scored • cutting • folding • surface qualities for printing • impact resistance • recyclability and/or biodegradability.
- Students should be able to explain why different papers and boards are suitable for different applications, including: • layout paper: sketch pads • cartridge paper: printing • tracing paper: copying images • bleed proof paper: marker rendering • treated paper: photographic printing • watercolour paper: painting • corrugated card: packaging • bleached card: greeting cards and high quality packaging • mount board: modelling • duplex card: food packaging • foil backed and laminated card: drinks packaging • metal effect card: gift packaging • moulded paper pulp: eco-friendly packaging.
- Efficient use of materials in the construction of containers through 2D net design.
- Effective selection of materials to allow for recyclability, biodegradability and stability.
- Performance characteristics of polymer based sheet and film.
- Students should be able to name different types of polymer based sheet and film.
- Students should be able to describe the performance characteristics of polymer based sheet and film, including: • the ability to be scored • cutting • folding • moulding • transparency • translucency • flexibility • recyclability and/or biodegradability.
- Students should be able to explain why different polymer based sheet and film are suitable for different applications, including: • foam board: model making • fluted polypropylene: signs and box construction • translucent polypropylene sheets: packaging • styrofoam: modelling and formers • low density polyethylene sheet: wrapping, packaging and bags • plastazote foam: protective packaging • cellulose acetate: packaging • polyactide sheet and film: biodegradable packaging. Performance characteristics of woods.
- Students should be aware of the different stock forms of timber, including: • rough sawn • planed square edge (PSE) • planed all round (PAR) • natural timber • manufactured boards • mouldings.
- Students should be able to describe the performance characteristics of woods, including: • grain pattern • grain direction • surface defects • warpage • shrinkage • splitting • joining • forming • steam bending • laminating • machining qualities • resistance to decay • moisture resistance • toxicity.
- Students should be familiar with the following woods and wood products: • softwoods: • pine • spruce • Douglas fir • redwood • cedar • larch • hardwoods: • oak • ash • mahogany • teak • birch • beech • manufactured boards: • plywood • marine plywood • aeroply • flexible plywood • chipboard • medium density fibreboard (MDF) • veneers and melamine formaldehyde laminates. Performance characteristics of metals.
- Students should be aware of the different stock forms of metals, including: • sheet • plate • bar: • flat • round • square • hexagonal • tube: • round • square • rectangular • hexagonal • structural: • H beam • I beam • tee • channel • angle.
- Students should be able to describe the performance characteristics of metals, including: • hardness • toughness • malleability • elasticity • tensile strength • density • resistance to corrosion • thermal conductivity • electrical conductivity • melting points • ability to be alloyed • ability to be joined with heat processes • ability to take applied coatings and finishes.
- Students should be familiar with the following metals: • ferrous: • low carbon steel • stainless steel • high speed steel (HSS) • medium carbon steel • cast iron • non-ferrous: • aluminium • copper • zinc • silver • gold • titanium • tin • ferrous alloys: • stainless steel • die steel (tool steel) • non-ferrous alloys: • bronze • brass • duralumin • pewter. Performance characteristics of polymers.
- Students should be aware of the different stock forms of polymers, including: • sheet • film • granules • rod and other extruded forms • foam • powder.
- Students should be able to describe the performance characteristics of polymers, including: • toughness • elasticity • insulation (thermal and electrical) • UV resistance • ability to be moulded • resistance to chemicals and liquids • melting points • suitability for food packaging applications • biodegradability • recyclability • self finishing • ability to be combined with other polymers and/or additives.
- Students should be familiar with the following polymers: • thermoplastic: • low density polyethylene (LDPE) • high density polyethylene (HDPE) • polypropylene (PP) • high impact polystyrene (HIPS) • acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) • polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) • nylon • rigid and flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) • thermosets, with specific reference to their: • urea formaldehyde (UF) • melamine formaldehyde (MF) • polyester resin • epoxy resin. Elastomers.
- Students should be able to explain the suitability of elastomers for given applications making reference to relevant physical and/or mechanical properties, including: • ability to be stretched and then return to original shape • texture • self finishing • non-toxic.
- Students should understand how elastomers are used to enhance products, for example in producing grips for improved ergonomics.
- Students should be familiar with the following elastomers: • natural rubber • polybutadiene • neoprene • silicone • Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE). Biodegradable polymers.
- Students should be able to explain the suitability of biodegradable polymers for given application making reference to relevant physical and/or mechanical properties, including: • ability to be moulded into 3D products or film • ability to degrade with the action of UV rays (sunlight), water or enzymes present in soil.
- Students should understand how biodegradable polymers degrade.
- Students should be familiar with the following biodegradable polymers: • corn starch polymers • potatopak • biopol (bio-batch additive) • polyactide (PLA) • polyhdroxyalkanoate (PHA) • water soluble: lactide, glycolide (Lactel and ecofilm). Composites Students need to know and understand how materials are combined to make composites with enhanced properties.
- Students should be able to explain the suitability of composites for given application making reference to relevant physical and/or mechanical properties, including: • ability to be moulded into a variety of 3D forms • enhancement of physical and/or mechanical properties • ease of manufacture for some uses against traditional materials • improved product performance.
- Students should be familiar with the following composites: • carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) • glass reinforced plastic (GRP) • tungsten carbide • aluminium composite board • concrete, including reinforced concrete • fibre cement • engineered wood, eg glulam (glued laminated timber). Smart materials.
- Students should know and understand the term smart material.
- Students should be able to explain the suitability of smart materials for given applications making reference to how the material responds to external stimuli, including: • changes in temperature • changes in light levels • changes in pressure (force).
- Students should be familiar with the following smart materials: • shape memory alloys (SMA), eg Nitinol • thermochromatic pigment • phosphorescent pigment • photochromic pigment • electroluminescent wire • piezo electric material. Modern materials.
- Students should know and understand the term modern material.
- Students should be able to explain the suitability of modern materials for given applications.
- Students should be familiar with the following modern materials: • kevlar • precious metal clay (PMC) • high density modelling foam • polymorph.
Key terms
Tensile strengthOpacityRigidityScoringRecyclabilityTreated paperDuplex cardMaterial EfficiencyContainer Net DesignBiodegradabilityPolymerThermoplastic
Exam tips
- Understand material properties: Familiarize yourself with the properties of various papers and boards, including their strengths and weaknesses.
- Be specific in your answers: When naming materials, include their properties and typical applications.
Common mistakes
- Confusing paper types: Focus on the specific applications and characteristics of each paper type to avoid confusion.
- Confusing types of paper: Study the specific properties and typical uses of each type of paper to avoid confusion.
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