Ceramics, Composites and Polymers

• What materials can be used to improve our lives?

  Materials from the earth
• What are ceramics, composites, and polymers used for?

  • Ceramics: non-metal solids with high melting points
  • Composites: made of two different materials
  • Polymers: large molecules made of repeating units
• What are ceramics classified as?

  Non-metal solids
• What is a characteristic of ceramics?

  They have high melting points
• What can some ceramics be made from?

  Clay
• How is clay described when dug from the ground?

  It is a soft material
• What can clay be molded into?

  Different shapes
• What happens to clay when it is fired at high temperatures?

  It hardens to form a ceramic
• What is an ideal use for clay ceramics?

  Making pottery and bricks
• How is glass generally described?

  It is transparent
• What can glass be molded into?

  Different shapes when hot
• What happens to glass when it cools?

  It can become brittle
• What type of glass is most commonly made?

  Soda-lime glass
• How is soda-lime glass made?

  By heating a mixture of limestone and sand
• What is borosilicate glass known for?

  Higher melting point than soda-lime glass
• How is borosilicate glass made?

  Using a mixture of sand and boron trioxide
• What are composites made of?

  • Two different materials
  • One material embedded in another
  • Often used for enhanced properties
• What is a common feature of composites?

  They are made of different materials
• What is the role of fibers in composites?

  They reinforce the matrix material
• What is the matrix in a composite?

  The surrounding material
• What do the properties of a composite depend on?

  The properties of the materials used
• What is the purpose of reinforcement in composites?

  To enhance strength and durability
• What is a common use for composites?

  Construction materials
• How do composites compare to single materials?

  They often have superior properties
• What is a key characteristic of polymers?

  They are made of repeating units
• What is the significance of the matrix in composites?

  It binds the reinforcement together
• What is the role of the binder in composites?

  To hold the fibers together
• What is the term for the material known as the reinforcement?

  Reinforcement
• What surrounds the reinforcement in a composite material?

  A matrix
• What do the properties of a composite depend on?

  The properties of the materials it is made from
• What does fiberglass consist of?

  Fibers of glass embedded in a matrix
• What type of matrix is often used in fiberglass?

  A polymer matrix
• What is a characteristic of fiberglass regarding density?

  It has a low density
• What is a characteristic of fiberglass regarding strength?

  It is very strong
• For what applications is fiberglass commonly used?

  For things like skis, boats, and surfboards
• What does carbon fiber composites also have?

  A polymer matrix
• What is the reinforcement in carbon fiber made from?

  Tiny chains of carbon atoms
• What is another form of carbon reinforcement mentioned?

  Carbon nanotubes
• What is a characteristic of carbon fiber composites?

  They are very strong
• In what fields are carbon fiber composites used?

  Aerospace and sports manufacturing