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Learning Outcomes:
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit you should have developed a knowledge and understanding of:
the basic classification of material groups
the mechanical properties and working characteristics of a range of materials
the different physical properties of materials
how and where to identify forces and their relative strength
the different mechanical properties that specific materials possess
how to take notes and revise the material effectively
Introduction
Introduction
To help learn and revise, materials can be categorised in one of three ways:
To help learn and revise, materials can be categorised in one of three ways:
Traditional
Traditional
Materials that have been used for many centuries
Ancient materials such as stone, wood, textiles, iron, bronze etc.
Modern
Modern
Materials developed in the last century
Titanium, polymers, concrete, composites (and even smart materials)
Smart
Smart
Materials that change physical properties
Thermochromic pigment, Shape memory alloys, ferrofluid etc.
Material classification
Material classification
Materials for product design and engineering are generally split into groups or classifications. These are:
Metals
Timber/Woods
Polymers
Paper and board
Composites
Smart and modern materials
To help us learn and revise, we can divide materials into categories and sub-categories with a suitable applications for each material.
Materials and applications
Materials and applications
The purpose of this unit is to give you the knowledge and understanding necessary to choose the best material for a particular product or process of manufacture.
Remember that the properties of a material are determined largely by its structure.
Remember that the properties of a material are determined largely by its structure.
Metals
Metals
Metals are made up of crystals that contain atoms and molecules.
Woods
Woods
Woods are fibrous materials made up of an arrangement of plant cells and resins.
Paper and card are derived from wood and therefore share the same molecular structure.
Polymers
Polymers
Polymers are made up of long chain molecules containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms, along with other chemicals such as chlorine and fluorine.
In order to select the correct materials and manufacturing processes for particular product or process, you will need to have a working knowledge of the physical properties and the mechanical properties of materials and how they can be worked with, shaped, formed, joined and finished.
There are two main characteristics that a material can have:
Mechanical properties which refer to the way a material reacts to external forces
Activity:
Activity:
Summary
Summary
Materials have both physical and mechanical properties.
Strength is resistance to force, so each force also has an associated strength (or weakness).
Physical properties relate to the makeup of the material but can also contribute to their aesthetic qualities such as colour and texture etc.
Materials can be categorized as traditional, modern or smart materials. Smart materials are also modern materials.
Each material has specific properties that make it suitable for a particular application, and this may also be dependent on the manufacturing process intended. Some manufacturing processes may only be suitable for a specific material.
There are both workshop and industrial tests for materials. These address the mechanical properties of materials not necessarily the physical ones. These will be covered in a lesson 15: Testing.
Revision Notes
Revision Notes
There are seven categories of materials covered in the syllabus, but you should also be familiar with textiles, glass and ceramics making a total of ten categories. These last three will only be for reference in case an exam question requires reference to them for comparison.
Where possible, these categories have been broken down into three to help you remember more easily. Use this fact to help you identify materials and their uses.
Ensure that you can name one common application for each specific material and never answer a question with a generic term such as ‘wood’ or ‘metal’.
Check your knowledge of these materials at the end of each unit.
Metals
Woods
polymers
paper and board
composites
smart materials
modern materials
Glass
Ceramics
Textiles
For each of the material groups you study, you should be familiar with the classification, properties and stock forms available for each material.
You should be able to refer to the physical and mechanical properties of each material and why those properties make them suitable for the particular application.
We will also look at the workshop tests undertaken to identify the mechanical properties of materials.
In a later unit we will look at how those materials can be processed, enhanced and finished in the production of products and components.
Throughout you will be expected to make reference to the physical and mechanical properties we have covered in this unit.
Prep
Prep
L2 Prep.pdfL2-Material-properties.ppsxPowerpoint
Powerpoint
All of this topic content can be found in this presentation should you wish to access it.
Link to Exam Specification:
Link to Exam Specification:
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