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| MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES (QUESTIONS) | |
| V. Ryan © 2012 | |
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|
Describe two physical properties, of each material
listed in the table below. The properties must be relevant to the specific
product. |
|
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| A. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) - Tennis Racquet | |
| PROPERTY 1:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| PROPERTY 2:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| B. Concrete - Garden Ornament | |
| PROPERTY 1:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| PROPERTY 2:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| C. Liquid Silicon Rubber (LSR) - Mobile Phone Skin/cover | |
| PROPERTY 1:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| PROPERTY 2:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| D. Beech - Chopping board | |
| PROPERTY 1:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| PROPERTY 2:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| E. Titanium - Wrist watch strap and casing | |
| PROPERTY 1:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| PROPERTY 2:________________________________________________________ | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| SAMPLE ANSWERS | |
| A. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) - Tennis Racquet | |
| PROPERTY 1: Lightweight | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Carbon fibre is lightweight, which makes it ideal for a tennis racquet. A CFRP racquet is easier to use, over a long period of time and is less tiring to the tennis player. The lightness of the racquet, makes it manoeuvrable compared to a traditional racquet, giving the user an advantage over a competitor with a traditional racquet. |  |
| PROPERTY 2: Moulding into a variety of shapes | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Carbon fibre can be moulded into a variety of shapes and forms. This means that the grip (handle) can be formed to an accurate ergonomic shape, which is comfortable and more positive in the hand. The head and the frame can be formed in the same way, producing a stylish and powerful shape. The use of carbon fibre in combination with moulding techniques, ensures a high strength to weight ratio. | |
| B. Concrete - Garden Ornament | |
| PROPERTY 1: Cast into reusable moulds | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Garden ornaments are often manufactured through batch production, to make hundreds of the same product. Concrete is ideal for this process, because the same mould can be used repeatedly. This saves money, as the same mould is used, each time a concrete cast is required. Using reusable moulds reduces production line ‘setup’ times. |  |
| PROPERTY 2: A composite material | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Concrete is regarded as a composite material, because it is ‘composed’ of a number of materials that combine to form this versatile building material. Most concrete is made up of Portland Cement, aggregates (gravel, crushed stones) and sand. Water is added to the mix. Varying the proportions of the constituents parts, means that concrete can be used for a variety of purposes including; bridge construction, motorways, curbs, walkways and foundations to entire factories and industrial sites. | |
| C. Liquid Silicon Rubber (LSR) - Mobile Phone Skin/cover | |
| PROPERTY 1: Impact resistance | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| It is quite common for a mobile phone to be dropped. LSR provides added protection to the sensitive electronics circuits and components inside the phone casing. When the phone makes contact with the floor, the LSR skin absorbs and distributes the impact. LSR also resists minor knocks and scratches. |  |
| PROPERTY 2: Elasticity (stretching) | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| LSR stretches to fit a range of shapes and consequently one design will fit a variety of similar phones. Skins manufactured from SLR, can be removed from the phone relatively easily, by stretching it. After stretching, the SLR skin returns to its original shape/form. | |
| D. Beech - Chopping board | |
| PROPERTY 1: Hardness | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Beech is a relatively hard wood. This means it resists the cutting action of knives and other kitchen utensils, used to prepare food. A beech cutting board is partially self-healing, and does not scar as easily as cutting boards, manufactured from alternative materials. A beech board is less likely to blunt kitchen knives. |  |
| PROPERTY 2: Non-toxic |
|
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Beech is a safe natural wood, to use as a cutting board. Beech is non-toxic and consequently it will not alter the taste of food or contaminate it in anyway, especially if regularly oiled with food-grade mineral oil. Unlike many materials, beech does not contain toxins. | |
| E. Titanium - Wrist watch strap and casing | |
| PROPERTY 1: E. Titanium - Wrist watch
strap and casing |
|
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Titanium is a very hard metal and consequently resists scratches and potential dents. Over time, a normal steel wrist strap becomes scratched. However, a strap manufactured from titanium, is much less likely to be scratched and retains its finish, prolonging its original appearance. |  |
| PROPERTY 2: Strength the weight ratio | |
| RELEVANCE TO PRODUCT: | |
| Titanium has a high strength to weight ratio. This material is ideal for a wrist strap, as its ‘lightness’ helps ensure that it is comfortable to wear. Titanium watch straps are usually composed of bands, that allow the strap to wrap around the wrist. The titanium bands are extremely strong and unlikely to break, even when under great stress. | |
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