Using resources

• What are ceramics?

  non-metal solids with high melting points that are not made from carbon-based compound
• What properties does clay have?

  • soft - moulded into different shapes

  • hardens in high temperatures

  • ideal for pottery and bricks
• What are the properties of glass?

  • transparent

  • moulded when hot

  • brittle when thin
• What is soda-lime glass made of?

  • limestone

  • sand

  • sodium carbonate
• What is borosilicate glass made of?

  • sand

  • boron trioxide
• How is soda-lime and borosilicate glass made?

  heat contents and let cool
• What is a composite?


  one material embedded in another
• What is known as the reinforcement in a composite?


  fibres or fragments
• What surrounds the reinforcements (fibres or fragments) in a composite?

  matrix - acts as a bind
• What is fireglass made from?

  glass embedded in a matrix made of a polymer (plastic)
• What properties does fireglass have?

  • low density (like plastic)

  • very strong (like glass)
• What if fireglass used for?

  skis,, boats and surfboards
• What are carbon fibre composites made from?

  • reinforcement - long carbon chains bonded together or carbon nanotubes

  • polymer matrix
• What are the properties of carbon fibres?

  very strong but light
• What are the uses of carbon fibres?

  aerospace and sport car manufacturing
• What is concrete made from?

  aggregate (mixture of gravel and sand) embedded in cement
• What property does concrete have?

  strong
• What is concrete useful for?

  building material
• What is wood made of?

  cellulose fibres held together by an organic polymer matrix
• What things impact the properties of a polymer?

  • how its made

  • what its made from
• What impacts the properties of poly(ethene)?

  • what catalyst is used

  • reaction conditions (temperature and pressure)
• How is low density (LD) poly(ethene) made, what properties does it have and what is it used for?

  • made:

  -> moderate temperatures

  -> high pressure

  • properties:

  -> flexible

  • uses:

  -> bags

  -> bottles
• How is high density (HD) poly(ethene) made, what properties does it have and what is it used for?

  • made:

  -> low temperatures

  -> low pressure

  • properties:

  -> rigid

  • uses:

  -> water tanks

  -> drainpipes
• What do the monomers that a polymer is made from impact?

  determines the type of bonds that from between the polymer chains
• What is the structure of a thermosoftening polymer and what properties do they have?

  • structure:

  -> individual polymer chains entwined

  ->weak forces bewteen chains

  • properties:

  -> melt these plastics and remould
• What is the structure of a thermosoftening polymer and what properties do they have?

  • structure:

  -> monomers form cross-links between polymer chains

  -> solid structure

  • properties:

  -> do not soften when heated

  -> strong, hard and rigid
• Ceramics:

  • glass and clay ceramics such as porcelain and bricks

  • insulators of heat and electricity

  • brittle and stiff
• Polymers:

  • insulators of heat and electricity

  • flexible and easily molded

  • used in clothing and insulators in electrical items
• Composites:

  • properties depend on matrix (binder) and reinforcement (fragments or fibres)

  • many uses depending on properties
• Metals:

  • malleable, shiny and stiff

  • good conductors of heat and electricity

  • ductile - drawn into wires

  • used in electrical wires, car body-work and cutlery
• How is an alloy made?


  adding another element to metal to make pure metal harder
• What are iron alloys called?


  steels
• How are steels made?


  adding small amount of carbon or other metals to iron
• What other alloys are used?

  • bronze = copper + tin

  • brass = copper + zinc

  • gold alloys

  • aluminium alloys
• What is bronze used for?


  making medals, decorative ornaments and statues
• What is brass used for?


  more malleable than bronze, used in situations where lower friction is required, such as water taps and door fittings
• What are gold alloys used for?

  jewellery
• What property does pure gold have?

  soft
• What metals are used in gold alloys?

  zinc, copper and silver
• How do you know if gold is pure?

  24 carat