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Northern IrelandTechnology and Design

Materials and manufacturing

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why are surfaces finished, and which finish suits each material?

Finishing techniques: why surfaces are finished, and finishes for timber, metal and plastic - varnish, paint, oil, polish, anodising, plating and self-finishing.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on finishing techniques: why surfaces are finished, surface preparation, and the finishes used for timber, metal and plastic, including varnish, paint, oil, polish, anodising, plating, and self-finishing materials.
11 min answer →

How are risks controlled in the workshop, and what safe working practices must be followed?

Health and safety: identifying hazards and risks, risk assessment, personal protective equipment, machine and tool safety, and safe handling of materials and substances.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on health and safety in the workshop: the difference between a hazard and a risk, risk assessment, personal protective equipment, safe use of tools and machines, and safe handling of materials and substances.
11 min answer →

How are parts joined, and when is a permanent or a temporary join the right choice?

Joining and assembly: permanent and temporary joins - adhesives, mechanical fixings, knock-down fittings, soldering, brazing and welding, and timber joints.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on joining and assembly: the difference between permanent and temporary joins, adhesives, mechanical fixings and knock-down fittings, soldering, brazing and welding for metals, and common timber joints.
11 min answer →

What are the main categories of material and the properties that decide where each is used?

Material categories - ferrous and non-ferrous metals, thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics, hardwoods, softwoods and manufactured boards, and composites - and their working properties.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on material categories - ferrous and non-ferrous metals, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, hardwoods, softwoods and manufactured boards, and composites - and the working properties that decide which material to choose.
12 min answer →

What are the scales of production, and how do jigs, moulds and templates aid accurate manufacture?

Scales of production - one-off, batch and mass production - and aids to manufacture such as jigs, moulds, fixtures, templates and patterns.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on scales of production - one-off, batch and mass (and continuous) production - and the aids to manufacture that make repeated parts accurate: jigs, moulds, fixtures, templates and patterns.
11 min answer →

How are materials marked out, cut, shaped and formed into products?

Shaping and forming processes: marking out, wasting (cutting and drilling), deforming and reforming such as line bending, vacuum forming and injection moulding.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on shaping and forming processes: marking out, wasting (sawing, filing, drilling), deforming such as line bending, and reforming processes including vacuum forming and injection moulding of plastics.
12 min answer →

What are smart and modern materials, and how does their changing behaviour make them useful?

Smart and modern materials: shape memory alloys, thermochromic and photochromic materials, quantum tunnelling composite and other responsive materials, and their uses.
A CCEA GCSE Technology and Design answer on smart and modern materials: shape memory alloys, thermochromic and photochromic pigments, quantum tunnelling composite and other materials whose properties change in response to a stimulus, and where they are used.
11 min answer →