Using materials key terms

steel

An alloy of iron that contains carbon and may include other metals, used for its strength and durability.

alloy

A mixture of two or more elements, where at least one is a metal, designed to enhance properties such as strength or resistance to corrosion.

High Carbon Steel

An alloy of iron that contains a higher percentage of carbon, resulting in increased strength and brittleness.

Low Carbon Steel

An alloy of iron with a lower percentage of carbon, making it more malleable and easier to shape compared to high carbon steel.

stainless steel

An alloy of iron that contains chromium and nickel, known for its hardness and resistance to corrosion.

corrosion resistance

The ability of a material to withstand degradation due to chemical reactions with environmental substances.

aluminium alloy

In Alloys as useful materials, aluminium alloy means an alloy primarily composed of aluminium, known for its low density and strength. This matters in Using materials because it supports the learning objective to describe aluminium alloys as low density materials. (Chemistry only). Use aluminium alloy only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

density

The mass per unit volume of a substance, often used to compare the compactness of materials.

bronze

In Alloys as useful materials, bronze means an alloy made primarily of copper and tin, commonly used in sculptures and coins. This matters in Using materials because it supports the learning objective to recall a use for bronze, brass, gold alloys, steels, stainless steels and aluminium alloys. (Chemistry only). Use bronze only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

stainless steel

An alloy of iron that contains chromium and nickel, known for its resistance to corrosion and staining.

Alloy

A homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a non‑metal, that has a uniform composition throughout and exhibits properties different from its constituent pure metals.

Composition ratio

The proportion of each element present in an alloy, usually expressed as a weight percentage or mass ratio, which determines the alloy’s physical and chemical properties.

pure metal

In Alloys as useful materials, pure metal means a material consisting of only one type of atom, with a uniform composition throughout. This matters in Using materials because it supports the learning objective to distinguish a pure metal from an alloy in terms of composition. Use pure metal only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

alloy

A mixture of two or more elements, where at least one is a metal, resulting in enhanced properties.

soda-lime glass

In Ceramics, polymers and composites, soda-lime glass means a type of glass made by heating a mixture of sand, sodium carbonate, and limestone. This matters in Using materials because it supports the learning objective to describe soda-lime glass as made by heating sand, sodium carbonate and limestone. (Chemistry only). Use soda-lime glass only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

limestone

A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, used in the production of soda-lime glass.

borosilicate glass

A type of glass made from sand and boron trioxide, known for its higher melting temperature compared to soda-lime glass.

soda-lime glass

A common type of glass made from a mixture of sand, sodium carbonate, and limestone, typically used in windows and bottles.

Clay ceramics

Materials such as pottery and bricks made from wet clay that is shaped and then fired in a furnace.

Firing

The heating process applied to shaped clay ceramics in a furnace to harden the material and complete its formation.

polymer properties

Characteristics of polymers that are influenced by the types of monomers used and the conditions under which they are synthesized.

monomers

In Ceramics, polymers and composites, monomers means small, repeating units that chemically bond together to form a polymer. This matters in Using materials because it supports the learning objective to explain that polymer properties depend on the monomers and the conditions used to make them. (Chemistry only). Use monomers only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

low density poly(ethene)

A type of poly(ethene) produced under specific conditions that results in a less dense structure, making it flexible and suitable for applications like plastic bags.

high density poly(ethene)

A type of poly(ethene) produced under different conditions that results in a denser structure, providing strength and rigidity for applications like containers and pipes.

thermosoftening polymer

A type of polymer that becomes soft and malleable when heated and can be reshaped.

thermosetting polymer

A type of polymer that hardens permanently when heated and cannot be reshaped.

thermosoftening polymer

A type of polymer that can be reshaped when heated due to its linear structure.

thermosetting polymer

A type of polymer that cannot be reshaped once set, due to its cross-linked structure.

composite

A material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that remain separate and distinct within the finished structure.

matrix

The continuous phase in a composite material that surrounds and binds together the reinforcement fibres or fragments.