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UNIT 2
Describingspecific materiats
Categorisingmaterials
o Specifoingand describing
properties
Discussingquatityrissues

- Describingspecificmateriats
ln pairs, discuss the benefits and problems of
recycling.Use the following examples and your own ideas.

breaking
up ships demol.ishing
buitdings recycling
electronicsscrapping
cars

2a Read the following web page and complete the missing headings using the
words in the box.

Aluminium Copper Gtass Plastic Rubber 5tecl Timber

1ííE
c YcLABLE Li!ÁÍERl ALs
t Sfeel Scrap can be sortedeasilyusing magnetism.lf the metalis galvanised(coated
withzinc)the zinc is Íu||y
recyc|ab|e'
|Íit is stain|essstee|,othermeta|smixedwiththe iron,
such as chromiumand nickel,can also be recoveredand recycled. rE
2 - Soding is critical,as thereare key differencesbetweenthe clearand coloured
materialused in bottlesand Jars,and the high-gradematerialused in engineering
applications,which containstraces of metals. y
3 - Scarcitymakes recyc|ingespecia|lydesirab|e,and justiÍies
the cost of removinginsulation
Írome|ectricwires,which are a majorsource of scrap. Pure meta|can also be
recoveredfrom alloysderivedfrom it, notablybrass (whichalso containsquantitiesof zinc,
and oftenlead)and bronze(whichcontainstin). t-
4 - The cost of meltingdown existingmetalis significantly cheaperthan the
process of electrolysis,
energy-intensive which is requiredto extractnew metalfrom ore. rE
5 - Hardwoodand softwoodcan be reused,However,the frequentneed to
removeironmongeryand saw or planeoff damagededges,can make the processcostly. y
6 - Tyresare the primarysourceoÍrecyc|ab|e materia|.
These can be reusedwho|e
in certainapplications.They can also be groundintocrumbs which havevarieduses. y
7 - An obstacleto recyclingis the need to son waste carefully.
Whilesome types
can be melteddown for reuse,manycannot,or resultin low-gradematerial. y
a)

74 Unit 2 Materiatstechnology

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Match the materials from the web page (l-8) in Exercise 2 to the
definitions (a-h).
1 stainlesssteet.,''a a metalusedto makebrass,andin galvanisedcoatingson steel
2 zinc I b the predominant metalin steel
3 iron \c a \rpe of steelnot needinga protectivecoating,as it doesn'trust
4 bronze d a dense,poisonousmetal
5 lead e rocksfromwhichmetalscanbe extracted
6 hardwood f an a[[oymadefromcopperandtin
7 ore g timberfrompinetrees
8 softwood h timberfromdeciduous trees

Compfete the following sentences using from, with or of .

I Bronze containssignificantamounts o{ copper.
2 Calvanisedsteel is steel coated -zinc.
3 Steel is an alloy derived- iron.
4 Pure metals can usuallybe recovered- alloys.
5 To producestainlesssteel, iron is mixed other metals.
6 Stainlesssteel containsquantities chromiumand nickel.
7 Glass tablewarecontainstraces - metals,such as lead.
8 When new metal is extracted ore, the costs can be high.

ln pairs, ask and answer questions about different materials using the
following phrases.

3 a lrina, an ecological adviser, is

talking to a group of engineers
on a training course about
environmentally friendly design.
ln pairs, discuss the ideas
from her slide and give some
examples.

)z.t Listen to an extract from the talk and compare your

ideas with what lrina says. What example does she use to
illustrate her main point?

)z.z lrina asks the engineers to do a simplified

environmental audit. Their task is to compare steel and
aluminium car bodywork from an ecological perspective.
Listen to Sophia and Pete, two of the engineers, discussing
the topic and make notes of their ideas.

ln pairs, do an environmental audit for the following

applications and materials. Use the words and phrases in
the box.
Application Materials
wiresin vehicles
I electrical copperandaluminium
2 externalwallsin houses bricksand softwood
as far as I know ... I think so / I'd say so I'm (not) sure
thats an importantconsideration that needsto be researched
coated derived mixed recovered recycled
- Categorisingmaterials
What do you know about braking systems? In pairs, discuss the following
questions.
I Cenerallyspeaking,what do brakes do and how do they work?
2 What kinds of materialare used in brake pads and brake discs in different
vehicles?

5a Read the article on braking systems. In the title of the article, what do the
colours green and red refer to?

b In pairs, answer the following questions.

I Why do most braking systemswaste energy?
2 What are regenerativebraking systems,and how do they save energy?
3 What characteristicsare requiredof materialsused for the brakes on racingcars?
4 What is meant by heat soak, and why is it a problem in racingcars?

GREEN BrÜAKEs
- A RED HOT TOPIC IN MOTOR RACING
As motor racing goes green, materials, and discs made of
Formula I is aiming to lead feÜous metal. The resulting
automotive research in finding friction generates heat, which
hi-tech efficiency gains. One is wasted. In performance cars,
of the keys to this ecological this phenomenon is taken
drive is regenerative braking to extremes, and due to the
(also known as kinetic energy high temperatures generated, The potential for recovering
recovery), which recovers brake discs are often made out energy also extends to the
energy generated during of ceramics. heat generated by engines
deceíeration.and stores it as a
The carbon discsand pads used and exhaust systems. This
source of power for subsequent
on Formula I cars generate area has also been discussed
acceleration.
so much heat that they glow as a oossible area for future
Regenerative brakes limit red hot. High temperatures exploitation in motor racing.
the energy loss inherent in are, in fact, necessary for the Heat recovery might offer the
traditional braking systems. In effective operation of carbon added benefit of reducing
most vehicles. conventional brakes. But there3 still plenty heat soak ítherma|absorption
brakes comprise pads of potential for recovering the by the chassisf as delicate
previouslymade from asbestos- kinetic energy, rather than alloy parts and sensitive non-
based composites, but now mere|y dissípating it ín the metallic materials, such as
consisting of compounds* form of heat. polymers, are susceptible to
of exotic. non-hazardous heat damage.

C Match the materiats from the text (l-7) to the descriptions (a-g).

1 compounds1 a materialsthat are not metal

2 exotic \ U iron and steel
\
3 ferrous \ g combinationsof materials
4 ceramics d mixture of metals
5 al.Loy e plastic materials
6 non-metallic f mineralstransformedby heat
7 polymers g rareor complex

16 Unit 2 Materialstechnology

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ln pairs, take turns to describe an object using the words from Exercise 5c
and the phrases in the box. Ask your partner to guess what it is.

comprise consistof madefrom madeof madeout of

6 a You are going to give a talk on compositestechnologyat a construction

materialstrade fair. In part of the talk, you focus on reinforcedconcrete
as a well-knownexampleof a compositematerial. Prepare your talk using
words and phrasesfrom this section and the followingnotes.

hmpositematerials
(ammonetample:reinforcedconcrete(verywidelyusedcomposite)
Lement(derived
fron lime)
-
ftgregate f:i:r:fgrrg"te(und)+clarseaggregate
(qravelor crushed

Water + chemical additives (e.9.plasticiser to improve w1rk^bility)

kinforcement (steel barq fixed together withsteel tie wirQ

b ln small groups, take turns to give your talk.

c Margit, a sales engineer, is describing a

high-voltage cable. Before you listen, label
the cross-section with the parts (a-e).
a insulation
b wateroroofmembrane
c outerjacket
d armouredprotection 2
e conductor

)z3 tisten to the descriptionand

check your answersin Exercise6c.

Match the parts of the cable (a-e) in

Exercise6c to the followingcategoriesof
materials (l -5). You will need to use some parts more than once.
I non-metallic at 4 non-ferrousmetal
2 metallic 5 polymer-based
3 ferrous metal -

Imagineyou are presentinga product or applianceyou knowwell to a

potential client. Describethe categoriesof material used to make the
different parts.

Unit 2 Materiatstechnology t7
I Specifyingand describingproperties
8a In pairs, discuss what you know about the properties of Kevlar@and how it
is used.

b Read the following extract from DuPont'"'s technical guide to Kevlar@.

Compare the information with your ideas from Exercise 8a.

\^/HATIS KEVLAR,@?
DtrPontÍl'1KEVLAB@is an orgarricfiber
in the arornaiicpolyanridefanri{y.
The
lunique propertiesand distinctchemical
Co|-1pos|Llonot KEVLÁRe distingtrisn
tllan nlade
it Íromothercot-,rtllercia]'
Íibers'

KEVLAR@has a uniqueconrbination
of l'rrgh
nroduius, toughness, abrasion
resrstance stabilty.lt r,vas
ar'crIlrernral
developedfor der-nanciing industrial
arldadvanced-technology applrcations.
Currently. rrany types of KEVLAR@are
procluced to rrreeTa oroadrirngeof end
usesthatrequirestrong,ltghtwerght.
cltirablerraterials.
CopyrightDuPontde Nemours

DuPont"andKevtar@
areregistered of E.I.duPontde Nemours
or trademarks
trademarks or its affitiates
Company

Find words in the text in Exercise 8b to match the following definitions.

1 foraghness : the opposite of fragility
2 - : resistanceto damage caused by friction
3-:reS|Stancetoproblemscausedbytemperaturechange
4 -: long-lasting
5 - : the opposite of heavy

9a Match the automotive parts (l -5) to the descriptions (a-e).

t drivebelts a sheetsinsertedbetweenpartsto preventgasor fluid leakage

2 brakepads b pneumatic envelopesin contactwiththe roadsurface
3 tyres c flexiblebandsusedin transmissionsystems
4 sealinggaskets d protective gunshots
capableof resisting
barriers
armour
5 butlet-resistant e padspressed againstdiscsto inducedeceteration

Read the information from DuPont'uon the following page explaining some
of the automotive applications of [email protected] the text using the
automotive parts in Exercise 9a.

18 Unit 2 Materiatstechnology
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(1)-
Car and trr-rck haverncorporated allolvthernto lastloi'rgand stop the rrelricle
Kevlar@intotheirconstruction
becauseit offers saÍe|y and qrtietly.
J<ur frrnco r l _v r p
n ru lr t lavi r( u r roa . oe h
u rl o
r corlnu' l O rU lHOl 'g)l)iOl !8, Kev|ar@providesan eÍÍectlrle' 1ightweight
T h e h r g h| n o d U I U aS n c ja b Í a S | o lrle s | S t a l l c o
ef (4)- for r.'ehrcies
solutiorr thatrequrre
Kevlar@ help (2) retaintheir or ginal protectionagains{ballisticattack.allowingcars
c,h:np an.l lprrcrnn n\/Ar lhe tTlrllrgpt Ot and lighttrucksto retainmost of theiroriginal
revolrrt,crrts
tlteuno througnoverlhe litespano{ handiingcharacteristics.
a venrcte. C h e r n r c .srtl a i l i i i ta\1 o l l r e !! a ' s l a D , l ' ir)e i o
The frictiona| Íorcesthat(3)- are designed make(5) reinÍorced with Keviar@pulp
t o e n d u r et a k el e s so f a t o l lo r rt l \ o s en ' d d ew r t i r strongancjdurable.The gaivaniccorrosion
Kerrlar@ pulp.The enhancedthernralstability resrstance of Kevlar'@ also contributesto
and inherentabrasionresistanceof KevlariS irnprovediong ternrengrneperfonrance.

ln pairs, discuss why the properties of Kevlar@are especially important for

each application described in the text.

)Z.q Listen to a conversation about the properties of materials used in a

specific type of tool and answer the following questions.
1 Where does the conversationtake place?
2 What tool is being discussed?
3 Which materialscan be used for its differentoarts?

Complete the following extracts from the conversation using the properties
in Exercise 8c. Listen again and check your answers.
1 The handle mustn't be heavy.ldeallg, Aou wont it to be
2 Resistingfrictionis essential.The keg requirementis-
5 The bur has to be built to last. Obviouslg, theg need to be verg
4 Heat builds up in the bur. You need o good degree of -

Match the words and phrases ( | -5) from Exercise | 0b to the synonyms
(a-e).

1 ideal.ty a iís clearthat

2 obviously b for the bestresults
3 the lastthingyouwant c the mostimportant fuctor
4 the keyrequirement d a lot ofl a hightevelof
5 a gooddegreeof e the worstsituation

a You work for a manufacturer of .,-\

Harprme's a! Joi're"s' hatmme's (tov rattls)
hand tools and have ;;;';;n* a
ro)Ltau'rphatwrmets(fov uaatsorrvy chisels)
investigate using alternative materials
- -
Co\siáev the harr"rmer heotA at\A the harmwrev shart|.
in your products. ln pui.., ."uá tr'"
notes and discuss the main properties Satws a| Wooá Sarws(€ o v cta|tirrgwooá)
required of the materials used to make b) Harcksarws(fov craffirrg uaetatl)
the too|s. Coqsiáev |he satwb|oA,e aúO,|v\e sarwhatr,táleo" €varrre.
Think of a product you know well.
ln pairs, discuss the materials used in it and what properties make the
materials suitable. Discuss whether alternative materials could be used.

Unit 2 Materiatstechnology 79
 I qualityissues
Discussing
72 In pairs, answerthe followingquestions.
I ln advertising, whathi-tech,high-performance
situationsare oftenusedto promotewatches?
2 Whatmessagesare theyintendedto sendaboutthe
qualityof products?
3 What qualityissuesdifferentiate watches
higher-quality
ones?
from lower-quality
4 What is the differencebetweendescribingsomethingas
and waterproon
water-resistant

13a )ls touisa, a marketingexecutivefor a watch

manufacturer,is discussingmaterial selectionwith
Tom,one of her engineeringcolleagues.Listen to the
discussionand completethe four quality issues that are
mentionedin the meeting.
I - resistance
2 -resistance
3 -resistance
4 -resistance

b In pairs, discuss what is meant by each of the quality

issuesin Exercise13a.

14a )z.s tisten again and answerthe followingquestions.

I What pointdoes Tommakeaboutthe reasonsfor selectingmaterials?
2 What does he say aboutsubmarine-grade steelto exemplifythe above
point?
3 Whatproblemdoeshe describewithregardto the marketability of many
materials?
4 What hard commercialfact does Louisagive?

ln pairs, mark the followingstatementsTrue fI) or False (F)accordingto

the viewsexpressedin the conversation.Read the audioscripton page 87
and check your answers.
I Often,exotic-sounding technically.
materialsare notthat suitable,
2 Peoplethinkthat a submarinesteelwatchmustbe tremendously
water-resistant.
3 The corrosionresistanceof submarinesteelis exceptionally good.
4 Submarine-grade steellooksfairlygood.
5 Tomthinkssubmarinesteelis particularly suitablefor watches.
6 The firm has oftenused materialsthat are not adequatelydurable.
7 Often,the compositionsof good watchmaterialsare relativelycomplex.
8 Materialswith complicatednamesare prettygoodfor marketing.

20 Unit 2 Materialstechnotogy
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C )z.O Listen to the followingphrasesfrom the conversationand undertinethe

stressed syllable. Practise saying the phrases.
I not patjeularlysuitable 4 tremendously marketable
2 exceptionally resistant 5 relativelycomplex
3 notat all suitable 6 notall thatgood

d Completethe followingtable usingthe words in the box.

cxrcÉia*y fairty insufficientty notadequatety not(alt)that
notpartí.culartypÍetty ntativety tetendousty

extremely quite not very not enough definitelynot

excepfiohrrlly

15 In pairs, discussthe key propertiesand differenttypes and grades of

the followingmaterials.Give examplesof the propertiesthat make each
material good or bad for watch-making,from a quality perspective.
Materials
steel glass atuminiumtitanium gotd ptastic copper rubber

Properties
water-resistant abrasion-resistant corrosion-resistant shock-resistant touqh
brittLe etastic durable heavy Lightweight thermaltystable

16 ln small groups,choose a well-knownconsumerproduct or applianceand

discuss it from a quality perspective.How suitable are the materials used?
How good is the product,comparedwith others sold by competitors?

Unit 2 Materialstechnology 27