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EnglandDesign and Technology

Topic 1.4 and 1.8 to 1.13 Materials and their properties

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are composite materials and technical textiles, and why are they used?

Developments in composite materials and technical textiles, including concrete, plywood, fibre and carbon reinforced polymers, and agro, geo, medical, protective and sports textiles, with their characteristics and applications.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.4 on composite materials and technical textiles, covering concrete, plywood, fibre and carbon reinforced polymers, and agro, geo, protective and sports textiles.
10 min answer →

How are ferrous and non-ferrous metals categorised, and what properties decide their use?

The categorisation of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper and brass, and the properties of ductility, malleability and hardness that decide their use.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.8 on metals, covering ferrous metals (mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron), non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, brass) and the properties of ductility, malleability and hardness.
10 min answer →

What are modern and smart materials, and how do they respond to change?

Developments in modern and smart materials, including shape-memory alloys, nanomaterials, reactive glass, piezoelectric materials, temperature-responsive polymers and conductive inks, with their characteristics, applications, advantages and disadvantages.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.4 on modern and smart materials, covering shape-memory alloys, nanomaterials, reactive glass, piezoelectric materials, temperature-responsive polymers and conductive inks.
10 min answer →

How are papers and boards categorised, and what properties decide their use?

The categorisation of papers and boards, including copier, cartridge and tracing paper, and folding boxboard, corrugated board and solid white board, and the properties of flexibility, printability and biodegradability.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.9 on papers and boards, covering copier, cartridge and tracing paper, folding boxboard, corrugated board and solid white board, and the properties of flexibility, printability and biodegradability.
9 min answer →

How are thermoforming and thermosetting polymers categorised, and what properties decide their use?

The categorisation of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, including acrylic, HIPS, biodegradable polymers, polyester resin and urea formaldehyde, and the properties of heat and electrical insulation and toughness.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.10 on polymers, covering thermoforming polymers (acrylic, HIPS, biodegradable), thermosetting polymers (polyester resin, urea formaldehyde) and the properties of heat and electrical insulation and toughness.
10 min answer →

How does the context of a product inform the choice of materials, components and manufacturing processes?

How all design and technological practice takes place within contexts that inform outcomes, selecting materials, components and manufacturing processes by their properties, advantages, disadvantages and justification for a given context.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.13 on selecting materials, components and manufacturing processes for a context, judging by properties, advantages and disadvantages and justifying the choice for a given product.
9 min answer →

How are textile fibres and fabric constructions categorised, and what properties decide their use?

The categorisation of natural, synthetic, blended and mixed fibres and of woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics, including wool, cotton, polyester, acrylic, calico, denim and felt, with the properties of elasticity, resilience and durability.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.11 on textiles, covering natural and synthetic fibres, woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics, and the properties of elasticity, resilience and durability.
10 min answer →

How are natural and manufactured timbers categorised, and what properties decide their use?

The categorisation of natural and manufactured timbers, including hardwoods (oak, mahogany, beech, balsa), softwoods (pine, cedar) and manufactured boards (plywood, MDF), and the properties of hardness, toughness and durability.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.12 on timbers, covering hardwoods (oak, mahogany, beech, balsa), softwoods (pine, cedar) and manufactured boards (plywood, MDF), and the properties of hardness, toughness and durability.
10 min answer →