Material Properties
This property describes a material's ability to be stretched and return to its original shape.
What is Elasticity.
What is an alloy?
A mixture of a metal with at least one other element (metal or non-metal).
Which type of plastic can be reheated and reshaped multiple times.
What are Thermoplastics?
This process involves pouring molten material into a mold to cool and solidify.
Casting.
This scale of production involves creating one-off, unique products.
Craft / Job production.
What is the term for a material's ability to resist scratching, wear, or indentation?
What is Hardness.
This heat treatment involves heating a metal and then cooling it rapidly to increase hardness.
Quenching.
What is the term for timber that has had its moisture content reduced to prevent warping?
Seasoning.
What is a "Subtractive" manufacturing technique?
A process where material is removed/cut away (e.g., milling, turning, or sawing).
What is "Mass Production"?
High-volume production of standardized products, often using assembly lines.
This property measures how easily a material can be shaped or molded without breaking.
What is Plasticity.
Which process involves heating a metal to make it softer and more ductile for further working?
Annealing.
This man-made timber is created by bonding wood fibers with resin under high pressure.
MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard).
3D printing is an example of which type of manufacturing technique?
Additive Manufacturing.
Which production system allows for a specific number of identical items to be made before switching to a different product?
Batch Production.
What is the difference between "Toughness" and "Strength"?
Strength is resistance to deformation/failure under load; Toughness is the ability to absorb energy and resist cracking (impact).
What is "Casehardening"?
A process that hardens the surface of a metal while leaving the inner core soft and tough.
Why are Thermosetting plastics preferred for kitchen utensils like pot handles?
They do not soften when heated due to strong primary bonds (cross-links).
Which process uses a high-powered beam to vaporize or melt material along a programmed path?
Laser Cutting.
What is "Automation" in a factory context?
The use of control systems and robots to operate equipment and perform tasks with minimal human intervention.
Define the "Young Modulus" in relation to material testing.
It is a measure of the stiffness of an elastic material (the ratio of stress to strain).
What is the primary difference between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous metals?
Ferrous metals contain iron (and are usually magnetic); Non-Ferrous metals do not contain iron.
What is "Hardwood" vs "Softwood" (botanically)?
Hardwoods come from broad-leaved (deciduous) trees; Softwoods come from needle-leaved (coniferous) trees.
What is "Injection Moulding" typically used for, and why is it efficient?
Producing large volumes of plastic parts; efficient because it is fast, repeatable, and has low labor costs once the mold is made.
This volume production process involves components moving continuously along a conveyor from one workstation to another.
Assembly Line Production