Tech Materials

Tech Materials

Plastics
1. Thermosetting
  1. Melamine
    1. Properties: Heat resistant polymer
      1. Uses: Tableware, Electrical installations, Synthetic resin paints, decorative laminates, Worktops.
        AD: Easily coloured, Odour free, Good resistance to solvents
        DIS: Limited resistance to concentrated acids and alkalis
        COST: Expensive
  2. Polyester Resin
    1. Properties: Resin and hardener mixed together, polymerises at room temp, often reinforced with glass fibre.
      1. Uses: Laminate to form GRP Castings, Encapsulations, Car bodies, Boats
        AD: Long lasting, Durable
        DIS: Requires special precautions when processing
        COST: Cheap
  3. Epoxy Resin
    1. Properties: A resin and a hardener mixed together to produce a casting.
      1. Uses: Castings, PCB, Surface Coating, Araldite glue.
        AD: Very strong, Sets in 2 hours, Will join different materials together.
        DIS: Difficult to apply because its so thick, Must be used inn a well ventalated are
        COST: Expensive
  4. Urea formaldehyde
    1. Properties: ColourlessPolymer, Coloured with artificial pigments to produce different colours.
      1. Uses: Door & cupboard handles, electrical switches, electrical fittings
        AD
        DIS
        COST: Cheap
2. Thermoplastic
  1. Acrylic
    1. Uses: Display signs, Baths, Roofs Lights, Machine guards,used in school workshops
      1. AD: Highly transparent, Light, Weather resistant
        DIS: Toxic during manufacturing, Not easily recyclable
        COST: Expensive
      2. Properties: Flexible, resistant to shock, UV and Chemical damage, Easily cut, can transmit/filter UV light
  2. PVC
    1. Properties: Stiff, Hard wearing, plasticiser added to make a softer, more rubbery material.
      1. Uses: Air & Water Pipes, Chemical tanks, Shoe soles, Floor and Wall Coverings
        AD: Light, Easy to handle and install
        DIS: It releases toxins during manufacture, decomposition in landfills and if exposed to fire.
        COST: Cheap
  3. ABS
    1. Properties: Opaque, Strong Resistant to heat and chemicals, Durable, Easy to process
      1. Uses, Toys, Telephones, Kitchen appliances, LEGO, 3D Printing
        AD: Good impact and heat resistance,
        DIS: Poor weather ability, Poor solvent resistance
        COST: Cheap
  4. Nylon
    1. Properties: Hard, Durable, Solid nylon has low friction qualities Resilient
      1. Uses: Curtain rail fittings, Combs, Hinges, Bearings, Clothes, Gear wheels
        AD: Light, Strong, Easy to wash, Natural lubricant qualities
        DIS: Poor resistance to sunlight, Heat sensitive
        COST: Varies with type
  5. Rigid Polystyrene
    1. Properties: Easy to machine, paint and glue. Strong, Stiff
      1. Uses: Computer keys, Packaging Power tool housing,
        AD: Easily Shaped, Comes in a wide range of forms
        DIS: Flammable, Weak, environmental pollutant
        COST: Cheap
Wood
1. Hardwood
  1. Mahogany
    1. Properties: Reddish-brown in colour, Easy to work with
      1. Uses: Indoor furniture, Shop fittings, Bars, Veneers
        AD: Wide range of availability, Easy to work with
        DIS: Warps, Hardness varies
        COST: Expensive
  2. Beech
    1. Properties: Straight grain, Fine Texture, Light in Colour, Can be Steam Bent
      1. Uses: Furniture, tool handles, Toys
        AD: Polishes well, Strong, Tough
        DIS: Not suitable for permanent outdoor use
        COST: Varies
  3. Oak
    1. Properties: Very strong, Light brown, Open-Grained, Hard but easy to work with
      1. Uses: High quality furniture, Beams used in buildings, Veneeres
        AD: durable, widely available
        DIS:Very heavy, may appear outdated in a room due to traditional look
        COST: Expensive
  4. Ash
    1. Properties: Strong, Durable, Flexible, Open Grained, Easy to machine, Well finished
      1. Uses: Furniture, Handles of Tools, Sports Goods, Construction, Ladders
        DIS: Not weather resistant as is prone to rotting
        COST: Expensive
2. Softwood
  1. Pine
    1. Parana
      1. Properties: Hard, Straight-grained, Almost knot free, Pale yellow with Red/Brown streaks
        Uses: High quality Pine furniture and fittings e.g. Doors
        AD: Attractive grain, wide range of availability
        DIS: Lacks toughness, tends to warp
        COST: Can be expensive
    2. Scots Pine (red deal/wood)
      1. Properties: Straight-Grained, Knotty, fairly strong, easy to work with.
        Uses: DIY Work, Constructional work and Simple Joinery
        AD: Finishes well, Durable
        DIS: Knotty
        COST: Cheap
  2. Cedar
    1. Properties: Light, Knot free, Reddish Brown, Weak, Naturally oily, Easy to work with
      1. Uses: Outdoor uses e.g Timber Cladding, Fencing
        AD: Knot free, Resistant to insect attacks
        DIS: Not that strong
        COST: More expensive than some softwoods.
Manufactured Boards
1. MDF
  1. Properties: Smooth surface, Easily Machined, Painted or stained. Available in water or fire resistant form, often veneered or painted to improve appearance.
    1. Uses: Furniture and interior
      1. AD: Easy to cut, shape and Drill,
        DIS: Can be easily damaged, can be harmful to health when it being sanded or cut
        COST: Cheap
2. Chipboard
  1. Properties: Made from chips of wood glued together with urea formaldehyde. Usually Veneered with an attractive hardwood or covered in plastic laminate.
    1. Uses: Kitchen and bedroom furniture, Shelving and general DIY Work
      1. DIS:All except High Density tends to soak up water and breakdown/swell
        COST: Cheap
      2. AD: Strong, Easy to use.
3. Veneer
  1. Properties: Thin,Flexible
    1. Uses: Indoor and outdoor use. Is stuck onto other manmade products to improve aesthetics.
      1. AD
        DIS
        COST
Metal
1. Ferrous
  1. Mild Steel
    1. Cost: Cheap
      1. DIS: Weak, Cannot be heat treated
        AD: Light, Affordable, Ductile
        Uses: Nuts, Bolts, Screws, Stool legs, Washing Machines Car bodies.
        Properties: Common, Soft, Strong, Rusts easily, Cannot be hardened or tempered.
  2. Stainless steel
    1. DIS: Very Expensive
      1. AD: Resistant to rust and scratching
        Properties: Hard, Will not Rust
        Uses: Sinks, Kettles, Medical Equipment, Cutlery
      2. Cost: Expensive
  3. Carbon steel
    1. Properties: Strong, Difficult to Form, Weld and Cut. Often hardened and tempered using heat treatment.
      1. Uses: Nails and screws, Bicycle wheel rims, metal chains wire ropes, screwdriver blades, engine parts
        AD: Good wear resistance, affordable, ductile
        DIS: Low tensile strength
        Cost: Cheap
2. Non-ferrous
  1. Aluminium
    1. Uses: Window frames, Saucepans, Cooking Foil, Airplanes
      1. Properties: Light, Soft, Easily shaped, silver in colour, good conductor of heat and electricity, corrosion resistant, polishes well.
      2. AD: Abundant,good conducter
        DIS: Not very strong
        Cost Expensive
  2. Brass
    1. Cost Varies depending on alloy properties.
      1. DIS: high maintenance due to oxidation
        AD: High quality look
        Properties: Heavy, quite hard and strong, Yellow in Colour, Malleable, Ductile, Corrosion Resistant
        Uses: Electrical Parts, Door Handles, Bathroom fittings, Accessories Instruments
  3. Copper
    1. Cost: Expensive
      1. DIS: Water acidity sometimes effects the use of copper pipes
        AD: Corrosion resistant, Light, Durable
        Uses: Water Pipes, Wires, Cisterns
        Properties: Tough, Easily Shaped and soldered, relatively soft, malleable and ductile, Good conductor of heat and electricity.

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	Created by Olivia Morrow about 7 years ago