Assignment 1- Case study

Selection of materials for main parts of a computer:

(a) Discuss the required properties for each part and justify the suitability of materials to be selected

Processor (CPU)
RAM
Hard Disk
ROM
Disk drive
CD drive
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse

Answer:

Processor (CPU):
Central Processing Unit is the main part of the computer and it is similar to brain of the human. Because
all the processing works are carried out by CPU.

CPU is made out of ICs (Integrated Circuits) interconnected with thin wires. These ICs need to be having
a dielectric property and also need to act as insulators. Therefore typically Si or Ge doped with P & As for
N-Type dopants. For P-Type it is Boron or Gallium.

Thin wires are made out of either pure gold (Au) or Aluminium (Al). These metals are having high
electric conductivity and it helps to minimize heat dissipation to entire system (Due to low resistivity).

RAM (Random Access Memory):

RAM is a volatile memory unit in PC. It is made out of number of ICs interconnected with metallic wires.
ICs are made out of purified Si. Main reason is its dielectric property. Connections are possibly
Aluminium.

Hard Disk:

Hard disk is the main storing unit of the computer. The disk is typically made from either glass or metal
like Aluminium. Pure Aluminium is a good choice since it is light and non-magnetic, but hard disks need
to be tough and aluminium is not hard enough by itself. As an alternative, the material used is an alloy of
Aluminium and magnesium with small amounts of other elements like silicon, copper and zinc to enhance
toughness.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

ROM chips remember things whether or not the power is on, which is a non-volatile memory.
Disk Drive:

CD Drive:

CD Drive uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the
process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs. Casing is made out of Aluminium alloy. This is
to introduce anticorrosive property and light weight to the unit.

Monitor:

Most common type of monitors is LCD monitors. It contains,

Liquid crystals. Liquid crystals are a carbon-based material with magnetic properties.
The outside of the screen is protected by high quality fiber optic glass.
Plastic films. After the glasses are layers of plastic films that protect the liquid crystals.
Circuit Board containing heavy metals. The most common are lead, cadmium, and copper.
Specially due to good electric conductivity.

Keyboard

Keyboard is one of the major input devise in personal computer. It contains Keys, cover and circuit board
inside. Key caps and cover are made out of thermoplastics which are resistance to UV and having
insulation property. Cost is also important when selecting proper plastic for this product since there is a
huge competition. Polybutylene terephthalate is used for Key Caps and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene
Styrene) is used for cover (both are having recyclability since these are thermoplastics).

Mouse:

Mouse is used as a input devise for personal computer and it plays a major role. The main parts of the ball
mouse are,

Outer shell, Shafts and spoked wheels

Mouse Ball
Circuits and other electrical part

Outer shell, Shaft and spoked wheels are made out of injection molded thermoplastics like ABS
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic). Main requirement is recyclability, light weight, swelling
resistance, UV resistance and moderate impact strength during application.

Mouse ball is made out of steel ball coated with rubber. This is mainly to keep stability of movement of
the ball by weight of the steel and it was protected from corrosion due to rubber coating. Also rubber
coating helps to absorb sound generated due to dragging of ball on surfaces.