Materials for different uses - Cambridge OCR GatewayDifferent materials
Materials include glass and clay ceramics, polymers, metals and composite materials. They have different physical properties, which make them suitable for different uses.
Different materialsThings that are used, sometimes to make other things. have different propertiesThe characteristics of something. In chemistry, chemical properties include the reactions a substance can take part in. Physical properties include colour and boiling point., but they may also have some properties in common. The table summarises some of the typical properties of glass and clay ceramics, and metals.
Glass ceramics
Clay ceramics
Metals
Appearance
Transparent
Opaque
Shiny
Melting point
High
High
High
Malleable or brittle
Brittle
Brittle
Malleable
Ability to conduct electricity
Poor
Poor
Good
Ability to conduct heat
Poor
Poor
Good
Appearance
Glass ceramics
Transparent
Clay ceramics
Opaque
Metals
Shiny
Melting point
Glass ceramics
High
Clay ceramics
High
Metals
High
Malleable or brittle
Glass ceramics
Brittle
Clay ceramics
Brittle
Metals
Malleable
Ability to conduct electricity
Glass ceramics
Poor
Clay ceramics
Poor
Metals
Good
Ability to conduct heat
Glass ceramics
Poor
Clay ceramics
Poor
Metals
Good
Glass ceramics
Figure caption,
Glass shatters when it is hit or dropped
Glass is made by melting sand, then allowing the moltenA term used to describe a liquid substance (eg rock, glass or metal) formed by heating a solid. liquid to cool and solidify. Glass is transparentAble to be seen through. and hardAble to resist wear, scratching and indentation., but it is brittleIf something is brittle it is easily broken..
Clay ceramics
Clay ceramics include brick, china and porcelain. They are made by heating clay to high temperatures, which causes crystalA solid containing particles (atoms, molecules or ions) joined together to form a regular arrangement or repeating pattern. to form and join together. Clay ceramics are often coated with a glaze, which hardens on heating to form a hard, smooth, opaqueNot transparent or see-through. and waterproof layer.
Metals
Figure caption,
Brick is strong in compression - it resists being squashed
metalShiny element that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and which forms basic oxides. are malleableCapable of being hammered or pressed into a new shape without being likely to break or return to the original shape. and ductileA ductile material is capable of being drawn into thin sheets or wires without breaking., so they can be bent into shape or made into wires without shattering. Unlike glass and clay ceramics, metals are good electrical conductorA material which allows charge to move easily through it..