Metals and alloys
A collection of resources curated for GCSE Design and Technology , to support the teaching of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, alloys and annealing.
Annealing Stainless Steel Spoons
This video demonstrates the concept of annealing metals using stainless steel spoons. The concepts of work hardening and dislocations in metal are also introduced.
Stiffening Paper Clips
This resources provides instructions on how to demonstrate annealing using paper clips. Please ensure that you apply your own risk assessment procedures before performing this activity.
Metals and Smart Alloys
The booklet looks both at ‘conventional’ alloys (in particular iron and steel) alongside the latest ‘smart’ or ‘shape memory’ alloys and their applications. The Metals and Smart Alloys booklet contains an illustrated overview of the topic with suggestions for teachers on how to introduce the ideas in the classroom, plus student activity sheets and notes for teachers and technicians.
Olympic Alloys
This Catalyst article looks at metals and alloys which play an important role in construction at the Olympic site, both in sports equipment and in medals. Designers must consider the properties of the materials used to make both sports equipment and buildings. These include strength, density, toughness, ductility and resistance to fatigue. The article considers some of the buildings and sports equipment which have been built specifically for the Olympic Games, explaining how each component has been carefully considered for its special properties.
Young Technologist's Handbook
Produced for the Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP), this book contains a comprehensive selection of useful descriptions and reference information on the properties of materials, manufacturing processes, ergonomics and electronics.
- General Introduction Symbols and their use Decimal prefixes Units of measurement Conversions
- Measurement Systems Measuring length Maths help
- Introduction to Materials Some physical properties of materials Manufacturing techniques Notes on the impact of manufacturing
- Manufacturing techniques for metals
- Casting Sintering Machining Sheet metal forming Joining and fastening
- Manufacturing techniques for plastics
- Moulding Vacuum forming Notes on the impact of manufacturing
- Toxicity of materials Byproducts Disposal and recovery of materials
- Ergonomics
What is an Alloy?
This video explains how alloys are made and how we change their properties to suit our needs.
Material choices at Brompton
This video looks at the different grades of steel used in the frame design of a Brompton bicycle, typically steel tube and steel sheet. Designers consider several criteria when choosing materials for a folding bicycle, including strength, weight and durability. Due to the manufacturing process, Brompton does not use aluminium for its frames as it has to be welded and not brazed. The fatigue life and cost of steel and aluminium are also compared. The film also looks at the materials used for other parts of the bicycle, such as tyres, handle bars and pedals. Titanium is used in some models. This is lighter but significantly increases the unit cost. The film explains how a new part was designed using CAD and then produced by rapid prototyping.
