Performance characteristics of materials revision notes

Performance Characteristics of Materials

Papers and Boards

• Types: Layout paper, cartridge paper, tracing paper, bleed proof paper, treated paper, watercolour paper, corrugated card, bleached card, mount board, duplex card, foil backed card, metal effect card, moulded paper pulp.
• Characteristics: Ability to be scored, cut, folded, surface qualities for printing, impact resistance, recyclability, and biodegradability.
• Applications: Different papers and boards are suited for specific uses, such as layout paper for sketching and corrugated card for packaging.

Polymer-Based Sheet and Film

• Types: Foam board, fluted polypropylene, translucent polypropylene sheets, styrofoam, low-density polyethylene, plastazote foam, cellulose acetate, polyactide.
• Characteristics: Scoring, cutting, folding, moulding, transparency, translucency, flexibility, recyclability, and biodegradability.
• Applications: Each polymer type has unique uses, like foam board for model making and low-density polyethylene for wrapping.

Woods

• Types: Softwoods (pine, spruce, cedar), hardwoods (oak, ash, mahogany), manufactured boards (MDF, plywood).
• Characteristics: Grain pattern, surface defects, warpage, shrinkage, joining methods, and resistance to decay.
• Applications: Different woods are used based on their properties, such as using plywood for structural applications.

Metals

• Types: Ferrous (steel, cast iron) and non-ferrous (aluminium, copper).
• Characteristics: Hardness, toughness, malleability, tensile strength, corrosion resistance.
• Applications: Metals are selected based on their mechanical properties, like using stainless steel for its corrosion resistance.

Polymers

• Types: Thermoplastics (LDPE, HDPE) and thermosets (urea formaldehyde, epoxy resin).
• Characteristics: Toughness, elasticity, UV resistance, and chemical resistance.
• Applications: Polymers are chosen for their suitability in various applications, such as food packaging.

Composites

• Characteristics: Enhanced properties through material combinations, ease of manufacture, and improved performance.
• Applications: Used in products like carbon fibre reinforced plastics for lightweight strength.

Smart Materials

• Characteristics: Respond to external stimuli such as temperature and pressure.
• Applications: Used in applications like shape memory alloys for medical devices.

Modern Materials

• Characteristics: Innovative materials with unique properties.
• Applications: Used in advanced applications like Kevlar for bulletproof vests.