Modern Materials

Modern material: a material that has been engineered to have improved properties

Thermo-ceramics:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Good heat insulator Extreme hardness Lightweight Durable	Brittle Prone to cracking Expensive compared to other marerials

Uses: Pipe insulation, chimneys, heat shield cladding, exhausts

Liquid crystal displays (LCD):

Advantages	Disadvantages
High quality image Slim/compact for portable devices Range of colours in display (256)	More expensive than traditional cathode ray screens Picture quality can be worse than traditional TV Expensive to replace Fragile

Uses: Computers, TV, phones, screens

Glulam:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Stronger than natural timber Good strength-to-weight ratio Easy to form and shape Sustainable building material	Expensive Can be poor quality if inner layers are poor quality timber

Uses: Buildings, construction

Kevlar:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Impact resistant Heat resistant	Poor UV resistance and degrades with sunlight Prone to moisture degradations Poor in compression unless reinforced

Uses: Body armour, cut-proof gloves, surfboard components

Precious metal clay:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Easily mouldable/formable Sets hard once fired with kiln/butane torch Inexpensive compared to solid metals	Fragile (behaves like ceramic) Can dry out whilst being moulded

Uses: Jewellery, decorative items, small sculptures

Nanomaterials:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Unique properties Used to extend battery life Used to miniaturise components/tools/electronics	Expensive New and uknown technology

Uses: Delivering drugs, additives in sunscreen, phone batteries

High density modelling foam:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Easy to work Can be sanded easily Intricate shapes can be created Lightweight	Adhesives can dissolve the material Material is soft/deforms easily

Uses: 3D modelling, prototypes

Polymorph:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can be remoulded multiple times Low melting point (62 celcius) Easily pigmented	Only mouldable for limited time Can be burned if heated above 65C for a long time

Uses: Modelling, shaping ergonomic handles, prototype mechanical parts

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Modern Materials Questions