Physical

• Fusibility

  The ability of a material to be fused or converted from a solid to a liquid/molten state usually by heat. Good fusibility is an essential property for metal being cast.
• Density

  The mass of the material in a standard volume of space

  (relative density is to that of pure water at 4˚C)
• Chemical resistance

  The ability for a material to resist damage by chemical reaction or solvent action
• Corrosion/degradation resistance

  The ability of the material to withstand environmental attack and decay
• Impervious to gases

  The material is not able to be penetrated by gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. Sealed containers can be air tight.
• Non-toxic

  A product, substance or material that will not cause adverse health effects, either immediately or over the long term
• Pigment coloured

  Material is coloured at the point of manufacture.C
• Electrical Conductivity

  Allows the flow of electrical current through the material. A good conductor gives very little resistance to the flow of charge
• Electrical Insulator

  Does not allow the flow of electricity through the material. A good insulator has very high resistance to the flow of an electrical current
• Magnetism

  The natural force between objects that causes the material to attract iron or steels
• Thermal Conductor

  Allows the transfer of heat energy through the material. A material with high thermal conductivity allows the transfer of heat to occur quickly across the material
• Thermal Insulator

  Prevents the transfer of heat through the material, e.g. saucepan handle
• Thermal Expansion

  The tendency of matter to change in volume in response to a change in temperature.

  Materials generally expand when they get hot and shrink upon cooling.
• Opaque

  Does not allow light to pass through
• Translucent

  Allows light to pass through but diffuses the light so that objects appear blurred
• Transparent

  Allows light to pass through easily which means you can clearly see through the material