Download Properties of Materials

MATERIAL
APPEARANCE
STRUCTURE
PROPERTIES
USES
Aluminium
Metallic
Soft silvery metal
which forms an oxide
layer so it does not
corrode.
Metal lattice
structure with
strong bonds
between ions &
free electrons.
Crystalline.
High melting point.
Good conductor of heat.
Good conductor of
electricity.
Reflects radiant heat.
Light weight.
Medium strength metal.
Low density.
Window frames,
ladders, drink cans,
large power cables,
cooking utensils.
Copper
Metallic
Reddish metal.
Metal lattice
structure, copper
ions in a sea of free
electrons.
Crystalline.
Electrical wiring,
Water pipes.
Cooking utensils.
Iron
Metallic
Silvery white metal
which rusts with
oxygen and water.
Metal lattice
structure
Ions in a sea of free
electrons.
Crystalline.
High melting point.
Good conductor of heat.
Excellent conductor of
electricity.
Non corrosive.
Medium strength.
Malleable.
Magnetic.
Conducts heat.
Conducts electricity.
Dense.
Rusts easily.
Strong.
China
Ceramic
Kaolinite mineral
mainly hydrous
silicate of aluminium.
Mineral of fine
grains.
Tableware, sanitary
ware, tiles, electrical
porcelain.
White cement.
Clay
Ceramic
Hydrous silicate
mineral.
Weathered rocks of
silica and aluminium.
Mineral of fine
grains clumped
together.
Glass
Ceramic
Translucent /
transparent.
Non-crystaline
structure.
Amorphous.
Very fine grained, white in
colour. After treatment
can be: Strong but brittle,
insulators, water resistant
if glazed, durable.
After treatment clays can
be:
Strong but brittle,
insulators, water resistant
if glazed, durable.
Inert.
Bad conductor.
Low melting point (alloy
such as pyrex has high
melting point).
Transparent.
Brittle.
High tensile strength.
Plastic
Polymer
Group name for
polymers.
Polymers are large
molecules formed
from smaller
molecules called
monomers. These
then form polymers
by the process
called
polymerization to
form long chain
molecules.
Thermoplastics can be
remoulded by heating as
they are linear or
branched chains.
Thermosetting plastics
can not be melted as they
have cross linkages
between chains.
They can be:
Lightweight.
Tough or weak.
Transparent or opaque.
Waterproof or soluble.
Insulators.
Rigid or flexible.
Nylon
Polymer
Synthetic plastic.
Polymer chain.
Polythene
Polymer
Synthetic polymer.
Polymer chain.
Thermoplastic
lacks cross
linkages between
chains.
Strong because of its
fibres.
Tough.
Hard wearing.
High softening
temperature.
Elastically flexible.
Reshaped on reheating.
Density can be altered.
If low density then:
Soft.
Flexible.
Guttering – durable.
Drainpipes – durable,
stay clean.
Handrail – smooth,
decorative.
Windows –
transparent,
nonweathered,
impact resistant,
thermal insulator,
strong.
Soffit board – rigid,
decorative, non
weathered.
Wastepipe –
lightweight, easy
installation, smooth.
Used in cloths and
carpets.
Used more in alloys,
wrought iron & steel.
Construction beams,
pressed sheets in
household
appliances.
Cutlery.
Bricks, roof tiles,
pottery, cement.
Insulation,
glassware, windows,
optical glass.
Bin liners, food
containers when low
density.
Bottles, crates, toys
Perspex
Polymer
Synthetic polymer.
Polymer chain.
Thermoplastic
remoulded on
heating.
Fibreglass
Composite
Glassfibres covered
with a polymer.
Wood
Composite
Natural fibres mixed
and stuck together.
Mixture of materials
when a plastic is
reinforced by a
fibre.
Glass with a plastic
resin.
Mixture of woods
glued together to
give strength.
If high density then:
Harder.
Tougher.
Rigid.
Transparent.
Hard wearing.
Resistant to heat.
Resistant to ultra-violet.
when high density.
Strong.
Lightweight.
Resistant to corrosion.
Repairing plastic or
metal structures
Insulation.
Strong but lightweight.
Roof strut.
Roof panels,
windows.