Design

• What is the definition of a composite material?

  A combination of two or more distinctly different materials with different physical and chemical properties to create a new material
• Give two examples of composite materials.

  Carbon fibre and glass reinforced fibre
• How are Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) and Carbon Reinforced Plastic (CRP) made?

  • Stainless steel mould is coated with a resin layer
  • Glass fibre or carbon fibre is laid on top of the resin layer
  • Another coat of resin is applied
  • This process is repeated
• What are the properties of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP)?

  Lightweight, corrosion resistant, chemically resistant
• What are the properties of carbon fibre reinforced plastic?

  High tensile strength to weight ratio, bad compressive strength, extremely lightweight
• How are metal foams made?

  By injecting gas or a foaming agent into melted metal
• What are the properties of titanium?

  Biocompatible, high overall strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance
• Where are LCDs found?

  In screens
• What are corn starch polymers used for?

  Biodegradable food packaging
• What are fibre optics?

  They transmit data by reflection through thin fibres, usually glass
• What is the definition of a smart material?

  A material that reacts to an external stimulus
• What do smart materials react to?

  Stimuli
• What are thermochromic pigments?

  Pigments that react to a change in temperature and change colour
• What are photochromic pigments?

  Pigments that react to UV rays and change colour
• What are shape memory alloys?

  Alloys that expand or shrink in response to heat or electricity
• What is the definition of a technical textile?

  A textile manufactured for non-aesthetic purposes
• What is a conductive textile?

  A fabric that can conduct electricity
• How are conductive fabrics made?

  They have conductive fibres woven into them or have conductive powders impregnated
• What is another name for a conductive fabric?

  1. e-textile
• How is Nomex in sheet form made?

  It is a calendared paper (rolled thinner and thinner)
• What are the properties of Nomex?

  Heat and flame resistant, flexible, lightweight
• What are the properties of Kevlar?

  Heat-resistant, high tensile strength to weight ratio, very light
• What are the applications of Kevlar?

  • Bulletproof vests
  • Bicycle tyres
  • Mooring lines
  • Helmets
  • Safety clothing
• What is a microfiber?

  A synthetic fiber finer than one denier
• Give examples of microfibres.

  Nylon, polyester, acrylic
• Give an example of a shape memory alloy (SMA).

  Nitinol