Properties of Materials

Aesthetic
Functional
Mechanical
 Aesthetic Properties
•Colour – A Material's natural colour
(Not Finishes) Pigments, dyes, enhanced natural finish.
e.g. Plastics, wood

•Style – Fashion – Form/decorative details

e.g. chrome, aluminium, wrought iron

•Texture – Natural texture / added texture / materials / moulding and

embossing.
e.g. concrete, plastics,
 Functional Properties
Strength – Ability to withstand force without breaking
Tension
or permanent bending:
Tensile strength
Compressive Strength Bending

Bending
Shear

Shear
Torsional Torsion

•Durability – Ability to withstand wear and tear (Lifespan)

•Flammability – Ability to catch fire

Treatment to reduce flammability
 Mechanical Properties
•Strength - 1.) Tensile Strength, ability to be stretched without breaking
2.) Compressive Strength; The ability to be compressed without breaking
3.) Shear; the ability to withstand opposing forces that cut the material

•Elasticity - The ability to spring back to it’s original shape when deformed

•Plasticity – The ability to be deformed permanently under pressure

e.g. thermoplastics
•Malleability – The ability to be deformed in all dimensions without failing
e.g. Aluminium
•Ductility – Extent to which the material can be drawn out into thin rods
without fracturing e.g. Copper wires/pipes
•Hardness - The ability to withstand wear scratches and indentation
e.g. Steel, Glass
 Testing material properties.
•Tensile strength – Resistance to stretching and pulling
Specific size of material is stretched to failure.
The force is measured by a Tensometer

•Hardness – Resistance to wear and indentation

Tungsten Carbide Ball Bearing is forced into the material.
The size and depth of the impression is measured.

•Toughness – Ability to withstand sudden impact and shock load

without fracture

•Ductility - Deformation through bending, twisting or stretching.