Engineering

• What is strength?

  Strength is the ability of a material to withstand a force applied to it
• What is ductility?

  Ductility is the amount that a material can be deformed.
• What is malleability?

  Malleability is the ability of a material to deform without rupturing. This means that the material can be changed without it breaking
• What is hardness?


  Hardness is the ability of a material to resist wear and abrasion. The harder the material the harder it is to make a mark on the surface
• What is toughness?

  Toughness is the ability of a material to withstand an impact without breaking. It is the opposite of brittleness
• What is brittleness?

  Brittle materials will shatter in response to an impact. It is the opposite of toughness
• What is stiffness?

  Stiffness is the ability of a material to resist bending.
• What is the difference between a ferrous and a non-ferrous alloy?


  Ferrous alloys contain iron. Non ferrous alloys do not.
• What are the properties of cast iron?

  3 - 3.5% carbon

  Good compressive strength

  Hard, so can be difficult to machine, but suitable for casting

  Brittle compared to other ferrous alloys

  Poor corrosion resistance

  Low cost
• What are some uses of cast iron?

  Anvils

  Engineering vices

  Tool beds
• What are the properties of low carbon steel?

  Less than 0.3% carbon

  Lower strength

  tough and low cost

  Can't be hardened
• What are some uses of low carbon steel?

  Nails and screws

  Car bodies

  Steel sheets
• What are the properties of High carbon steel?

  0.8 - 1.4% carbon

  Strong and hard, but not tough

  Difficult to form

  Can be hardened
• What are some uses of high carbon steel?

  Tools like saw blades and hammers
• What are the properties of stainless steel

  At least 11.5% chromium

  Strong and hard

  Difficult to machine

  Good corrosion resistance

  Relatively expensive
• What are some common uses of stainless steel

  Knives and forks, medical equipment and sinks
• What are the properties of aluminium

  Aluminium is one of the most occuring elements on our planet. However as a pure metal it is not as hard as steel. Cheaper than most alloys and is corrosion resistant. This makes it ideal for items such as soft drink cans. It is normally alloyed.
• What are the properties of copper?

  Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and is also ductile. It is often used to make electrical wiring. Copper has a very good corrosion resistance so it is used to make a lot of pipes.
• What are the properties of bronze

  Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. It is often used for cast products, including statues.
• What are the properties of brass?

  Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is difficult to cast but can be machined to a high finish
• What are the properties of lead?

  Lead is relatively soft, malleable, ductile and corrosion resistant.
• What are the properties of zinc

  Zinc has a low melting point. commonly used for die casting.
• What are the available forms of metal?

  Flat plates, sheets and strips

  bars and rods

  tubes and pipes

  standard section forms

  wire
• What is a polymer?

  long chain of monomers
• What are the two types of polymers

  thermosoftening and thermosetting
• What is the difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers?

  thermosoftening polymer change shape when heat is applied

  thermosetting polymers do not change shape when heat is applied
• What is a composite material?

  A material made up of two materials with different properties
• What are some examples of composite materials

  -Reinforced concrete

  -Fibreglass

  -Chipboard

  -Carbon fibre reinforced polymer
• What is CRP?

  Carbon reinforced plastic
• What is GRP?

  Glass Reinforced Plastic
• What are some properties of CRP?

  Extremely high strength and rigidity

  Low density

  Expensive to produce
• What is CRP used for?

  Aircraft structures

  high-performance sports bicycles

  helmets
• What are some properties of GRP?

  High strength, Low density

  Good chemical resistance and thermal insulation

  Lower cost than CRP but not as strong
• What is GRP used for?

  Rotor blades of wind turbines, canoes, fishing ponds, fairground ride capitals, vehicle bodies.
• What is plywood?


  Layers of wood glued together
• what are some properties of plywood?

  Smooth, even surface with good strength;often available in veneered form
• What is plywood used for?

  furniture, flooring, roofing and boat building
• What is MDF?

  Medium Density Fiberboard
• What are some properties of MDF?

  Manufactured from fibres and adhesive matrix.

  Smooth,even surface with uniform properties.

  Easily manufactured and painted; often available in veneered form.

  Lower cost than plywood.
• What are some properties of structural concrete?


  The most commonly used composite material.

  concrete reinforced with steel bars to increase it's tensile strength.