B3.1 Material selection

B3.1.1: Materials are selected for specific applications based on their properties. 

Guidance: You should be able to identify appropriate materials based on their physical, chemical and mechanical properties.

Choosing the right material is important for the success of any project. In short,  materials are not selected randomly, but rather for specific applications based on their unique properties.

• A3.1 Material Classification

Understanding Material Properties

To make informed decisions about material selection, designers must consider three main categories of properties:

Matching Properties to Applications

When selecting materials for a specific application, designers must:

• Identify the requirements of the application

• Evaluate potential materials based on their properties

• Choose the material that best meets the project's needs

For example, if designing a kitchen utensil, you might prioritize materials with:

• High heat resistance (physical property)

• Corrosion resistance to food acids (chemical property)

• Sufficient strength and durability (mechanical properties)

By understanding these properties and how they relate to specific applications, you'll be able to make informed decisions about material selection in your design projects.

B3.1.2: Materials are selected for specific applications based on their aesthetic characteristics. 

Guidance: You should be able to identify appropriate materials based on texture, form and colour which can also be enhanced using a variety of finishing techniques.

The way a product looks and feels is equally important as how it functions. Aesthetics characteristics such as texture, form, and color play an important role in user experience and product appeal.

By carefully considering aesthetics in material and process selection, industrial designers can create products that not only function well but also resonate with users on an emotional level. 

B3.1.3: Additional factors influence the selection and application of materials in a specific context. 

Guidance: You should be able to identify appropriate materials based on cost, availability, and sustainability..

When selecting materials for a design project, it is essential to consider not only physical properties and aesthetics but also broader factors such as sustainability, cost, and availability. By integrating these considerations into the material selection process, designers can create products and structures that are not only successful in the present but also adaptable and relevant in a rapidly changing world. This approach ensures that designs are environmentally responsible and economically viable in the long term,.

B3.1.4: The selection of materials for a specific purpose can be justified through primary and secondary research. 

Guidance: You should be able to justify your choice of materials using appropriate research methods.

Choosing the right material is an important decision that can significantly impact a product's performance, cost, and environmental footprint. By using a combination of primary and secondary research methods, designers can make informed decisions about material selection and provide robust justifications for their choices. This research-based approach ensures that material selections are not just based on intuition or tradition, but on solid evidence and data, leading to more successful and innovative designs.

Combining Research Methods for Comprehensive Justification

To effectively justify material selection, designers should combine both primary and secondary research:

Initial Screening:

• Use secondary research to create a shortlist of potential materials based on required properties and industry standards

In-depth Analysis:

• Conduct primary research to test and validate the performance of shortlisted materials in the specific application

User-Centered Validation:

• Use surveys or user testing (primary research) to ensure the selected material meets user expectations and preferences

Environmental and Ethical Considerations:

• Combine lifecycle assessment data (secondary research) with supplier audits (primary research) to ensure sustainability and ethical sourcing

• Which factors of ergonomics influence the choice of a material? (A1.1)

• How can user-centred research methods influence the selection of a material? (A2.1)

• To what extent does material selection rely on the desired manufacturing techniques? (A4.1)

• How do designers prioritize material selection as part of the design process? (B2.1)

• Which aspects of material selection do designers have to consider to take a product beyond usability? (C1.3)

• How does the selection of a material influence whether a product can meet the requirements of design for sustainability or design for a circular economy? (C2.1, C2.2)

• How does the choice of design for manufacture strategies affect the requirements for material selection? (C4.1)

• To what extent are material selection and production systems interlinked? (B3.1, B4.1)

Linking questions are questions that help you connect different parts of your design technology studies. They can show how ideas and skills are related to each other.

Why are linking questions important?

Linking questions can help you:

• Understand the big picture: See how different parts of design technology fit together.

• Learn more: Connect new information to what you already know.

• Show your knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of design technology in a deeper way.

How can you use linking questions?

• Connect subtopics: Find relationships between different parts of the course

• Use your skills: Show how you can apply design technology skills in different areas.

• Think about the nature of design technology: Consider the big ideas and principles that guide design technology.

• Apply to the real world: See how design technology can be used in real-life situations.