Material properties
A collection of resources curated for Design and Technology GCSE, to support the teaching of material properties (e.g. compression, tension, flammability, etc.)
Which material and why
When selecting materials for engineering applications, their properties must be considered. This ensures that that they are fit for purpose. In this activity, learners will use their knowledge of properties to select an appropriate main material for the fan blades of a turbojet engine. They will learn about properties such as toughness, thermal resistance and creep resistance. It will build understanding of how to apply this knowledge when selecting a material for a real engineering application.
Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF) in coolant fabric technology
This film, produced by Technical Absorbents, demonstrates how highly absorbent fabric can be used to enhance the material properties of performance fabrics. It demonstrates how a technical base layer can be used to cool the body, and provides a number of examples of who might use a technical base layer (I.e. emergency services, athletes, etc)
Material Properties 101
This video examines the relationship between stress, strain and ultimate tensile strength. It provides content for higher level learners, including content on Young's Modulus.
Physical Properties of Metals
This video shows industrial tests for a range of material properties (ie. tensile testing, toughness, malleability, ductility, melting point).
How FR Fabrics are Tested
This video, produced by WorkriteFR, uses animation to demonstrate a range of flammability tests that are performed on fire resistant clothing. The animation shows the test, the variety of results and indicates what score is needed for an item of clothing / material to pass the test.
impact resistance test
This video demonstrates an impact resistant test. A steel ball weighing 510g is dropped at increasing heights until it breaks the ceramic slab.
Metals, mechanical properties and metal production
This collection of resources support the teaching of metals (including ferrous and non-ferrous), mechanical properties and metal production. The resources are a combination of presentations, student worksheet and whole class quizzes.
Materials testing, engineering a football boot
Inspired by the Born to Engineer video from Sam Fraser, an engineer who combines his love for engineering with a passion for football, this resource supports students to increase their understanding of materials engineering, including materials testing, design and material properties (Hooke’s Law, shear, compression, tension, etc).
