Modern Materials

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ModernMaterials
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What are Modern materials?

• Modern materials are those which are continuously
  being developed by the invention of new or
  improved processes.
• Unlike Smart materials, their characteristics do
  not necessarily change with external effects such
  as temperature or pressure.

The X33 - next generation shuttle Source www.tc.c
ornell.edu/Research/CMI/ RLVsource/Pics/x33-bigr.j
pg
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Teflon

• Teflon is a polymer with very low surface
  adhesion (non-stick) characteristics.
• Teflon is used on cooking utensils, like frying
  pans

Teflon frying pan Source www.amazon.com
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Teflon

• also as a dry bearing material in machines and
  even in clothing to resist stains and moisture
  absorption.

Teflon fabric coating causes moisture to bead
on the surface. Source www.fjallraven.com
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Optical fibres

• Optical fibres are long, thin, hollow tubes
  usually made from glass, which have a mirrored
  inner surface.
• They are designed to carry light for extremely
  long distances and function on the basis of total
  internal reflection.

Optical fibres Source www.bbc.co.uk
Click here for more information and an animation
on optical fibres on the UlearnToday website
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Carbon Fibre

• Carbon fibre is often used to provide strength in
  a composite with other materials.
• It has very high tensile strength and produces
  very strong, lightweight material.

Carbon fibre sheet Source www.freenetpages.co.uk
/hp/ davebrian/cdev/sheet.htm
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Carbon Fibre

• Carbon fibre is often used to manufacture
  lightweight equipment for high tech applications
  for example in racing cars and boats.

Racing car seat made from carbon fibre Source
www.340r.net/news
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Carbon Fibre

• Carbon fibre is often used to manufacture
  lightweight equipment for high tech applications
  for example in racing cars and boats.

Carbon fibre reinforced speed sailing
craft Source www.compositespars.com
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Composite materials

• A composite material is formed from a combination
  of materials which are bonded together.
• They can be composed of fibers, layers of
  materials (laminates), particles or flakes.

Lightweight carbon composite bike frame Source
www.cobr.co.uk
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Composite materials

• A composite material is formed from a combination
  of materials which differ in composition or form
  and are bonded together.
• They can be composed of fibers, layers of
  materials (laminates) or composed of particles or
  flakes.

Composite motor bike wheels Source
www.dymag.com/ Motorcycle20Homepage.
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Cellular materials

• Metallic foams have low density, high strength
  and stiffness, good damping and energy absorption
  and are non flammable.
• Applications inlcude transportation, as well as
  in the aero and space industry.

Cellular metal foam Source www.oeaw.ac.at
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Genetically modified foods

• Scientists are developing new plant strains by
  changing their genetic structure (DNA).
• The new plants can be pest or drought resistant
  to help third world countries onions that dont
  make you cry or caffeine free coffee, to name
  but a few.

GM corn Source http//globalchange.umich.edu
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Synthetic flavours

• Did you know that hedgehog flavour crisps arent
  really made from hedgehogs!
• Synthetic flavours can be manufactured to taste
  like natural products. Check out your next crisp
  packet!

Source www.learn.co.uk
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Modern fabrics and fibres

• A wide range of modern materials are being
  developed to improve-
• waterproofing (eg Gortex),
• stain resistance (eg Teflon),
• thermal insulation (eg Polartec)
• stretchiness (eg Lycra)

Polartec dog jacket Source www.rvrg.com