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Design & Technology

Materials

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Working properties

Different materials exhibit different working properties. Listed below are the key properties which determine how materials behave.

  • conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat or electrical energy
  • strength is the ability of a material to withstand a force without breaking or bending
  • elasticity is the ability of a material to bend and then to return to its original shape and size
  • plasticity is the ability of a material to permanently change in shape
  • malleability is the ability of a material to permanently deformdeforming: Changing an object's shape without losing any material. in all directions without cracking
  • ductility is the ability of a material to deform, usually by stretching along its length
  • hardness is the ability of a material to resist wear, scratching and indentation
  • toughness is the ability of a material to withstand blows or sudden shocks without breaking
  • durability is the ability of a material to withstand wear, especially as a result of weathering
  • fusibility is the ability of a material to change into a liquid or molten state when heated to its melting point

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