Properties:
Chemical properties
Resistant to corrosion
Complex compounds
Very non-reactive
Very high melting point.
Stable over a long time
Physical properties
- Made of a mixture of non-metals and metallic atoms.
- Have a lower density than most metals.
- Stronger than metals.
- Break easily (very brittle)
- Low ductility and plasticity.
- High melting point.
- They don’t conduct heat or electricity.
- Erosion resistant
- Resistant to strong acid and alkali.
- Very tough and stiff.
- No deformation.
- It will not rust.
- It will not swell up.
Uses:
-
Used to insulate wires.
- They are also used to make equipments for grinding, polishing or cleaning hard surface areas.
- Used to insulate places or objects by coating them and keeping them warm.
- Used for making window glass, TV screens, computer monitors, glass and optical fibres.
- Applied to resist corrosion.
- Also used to make capacitors, varistors and transducers.
- Used to make concrete for high ways and streets.
- Biocompatible coatings (surgical equipment coatings).
- Self-lubricating bearings.
- Magnetic items like tapes or hard disks like floppy disks.
- Optical wave-guides.
- Night-vision
- High dielectric constant.
- Gas laser tubes. Ballistic armor. Test tubes and beakers, elbow liners.
- welding system
Examples of oxides that make up ceramics:
Silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, iron oxide etc…
Mixed metal oxides:
Strontium titanate, magnesium aluminate etc…
Nitrides:
Silicon nitride, Titanium nitride, Aluminium nitride etc…
Polymers: nylon, polyester, poly (ethane), Lycra
Structure:
Polymers are made from a long chain of monomers, e.g. Vinyl chloride: the bond is broken and new bonds are formed which makes this same molecule repeat itself and make a long chain. The length of the chain depends on the materials and the conditions that the polymer is made in, polymers bond through covalent bonding.
Composition:
Polymers are composed of many other smaller molecules (monomers) that are made up of 2 or more elements, which are composed of electrons, protons and neutrons. Electrons and protons have the atomic mass of 1 but the relative atomic mass of the neutrons can differ.
Properties:
Chemical properties:
- High melting point.
- high tensile strength
- High elasticity and plasticity
- Low melting point
Physical properties
- Poor conductors of electricity.
- Poor conductors of heat.
- Chemical resistant
- water resistant
Uses:
-
Used to make glue.
- Used to make containers like plastic plates, cups etc…
- Used to make textiles to cover sofas and clothe (NYLON, POLYESTER)
- Used to make cases for computers, bags and razors.
- Used to make waterproof materials.
- Used to make biodegradable product like disposable food packaging, plastic knives, Forks plates and spoons.
- Biomaterials ( bionate, bio span)
- Liquid crystals.
- Teflon
- Synthetic oil and grease
- Gaskets and cords.
- soaps and surfactants (substances used to reduce the tension of a liquid in which the surfactant dissolves)
- Used to make shoe soles, hoses, and radiator hoses wet suits.
Composites: fibreglass, plywood laminates flooring
Structure:
There are 2 or more types of material in a composite, one of those materials is used as the main substance that holds the whole structure together and the rest are used as reinforcements in a form of fibres. The main types of matrix (main material) are substances like epoxy and polyimide.
Composition:
Composed of two or more organic or inorganic materials e.g. metal/polymer or polymer/polymer. This material is made of compounds and elements, it is a complex substance. E.g. play wood. The reinforcement materials in composites are mostly made up of fibres.
Properties:
Chemical properties:
- High melting point.
- Resistant to all acid and alkali chemicals.
- The properties of composites, change as the amount and type of material that they are made from changes.
- Low modulus
- Self-abrasiveness if not cared for correctly, therefore making it less strong.
Physical properties:
- The properties of these materials depend up on the type and amount of materials used to make the product.
- Light weight.
- High strength.
- Fireproof
- Poor conductors of electricity and heat.
- They resist the attack of high amount of chemicals.
- Good weathering properties (this depends on the materials used to make the product, but if the right materials are selected, almost extreme weather conditions can be tolerated by the composite).
- Can be made into ant colour, making it cost effective; since there is no need for painting at the finishing stage.
- High tensile strength.
- Transmission of light.
- Versatile.
Uses:
- Chemical storage tanks.
- Pipes.
- Chimneys.
- Boat hulls
- Body part for cars.
- DVD cases and fire doors.
- Insulators.
- Translucent mouldings and sheets.
- Meat containers.
- Fuel pumps and quips. Fire blankets. Fire exits.
Natural fibre: wool, silk and cotton.
Structure:
Natural fibre materials are any substance obtained from any animal or plant source.
The below image is an image of how a polymer chain of cotton plant molecules look and are bonded, through covalent bonding.
Composition:
Cotton is made up of polymer molecules of hydrogen (H) (1 electron, 1 proton and 1 neutron), carbon (C) (6 electrons, 6 protons and 6 neutrons) and oxygen (O) (8 electrons, 8 protons and 8 neutrons). These elements combined make up the cellulose in cotton plant, which consists of cottonseed, cotton fibre and the leaves of cotton.
Chemical properties:
Very low acidic and alkali resistance.
Disintegrates in contact with acid.
High tensile strength.
High resistance to thermal heat.
Physical properties:
Properties:
- High absorption.
- Soft in hand.
- High control of colour (keeps its colour for a long time).
- Easy to print on.
- Machine washable and dry cleanable.
- Strong and thin textile.
- Drapes well (it holds itself loose around objects or the body of something )
- Easy to sew and handles well.
- Low elasticity.
- Very flammable.
- Decomposes at temperatures above 300°C.
- Low temperature resistance.
Uses:
Natural fibres are mostly used in wearing apparels for example:
Making shirts, skirts, socks, blouse, pants, underwear, jackets suits, and children’s wear and etc…
Home textiles:
Bedding, curtains, drapes, sheets, towels, table cloths, table mats throws and napkins etc…
They are also used for medical purposes, like to make bandages plasters, scrubs, mouth masks etc…
Metals and alloys:
Ceramics:
Polymers
Composites:
Natural fibre