What is a composite material?
2 or more materials combined together to create a new material with improved functionality and properties ( enhanced material)
Glass reinforced plastic
GRP
Appearance- Covered with a smooth plastic resin, Easily coloured and moulded
Characteristics- Lightweight, good strength to weight ratio, heat+ chemical resistance
Uses- Helmets, Pipes, Liquid storage tanks
Carbon- fibre reinforced plastic
CRP
Appearance- a cloth woven from individual strands
Characteristics- very expensive, stiff rigid
Uses- Musical instruments, Sports equipment, Musical instruments
What is a technical textile?
Textile that has been developed with enhanced properties to withstand specific uses
Gore tex
- A waterproof and breathable material
- Material helps reduce build up of condensation inside jackets or boots
- It’s a very thin membrane sandwiched between a liner and outer material
Uses- Outdoor clothing
Kevlar
Poly-paraphenyoene terephthalamide
- Non flammable
- Extremely strong+tear resistance
Uses- bullet proof vests, personal armour
What are conductive fabrics?
- aka e-textiles
- allow an electrical impulse to pass through them
- A silvery fabric or thread, can be sewn
- Helps link electrical components together
Uses- Bluetooth connectivity, electronic sports equipment, anti-static clothing
Fire resistant fabric
- E.g Kevlar and Normex
- Made from armed fibres
- Can be dyed a range of colours
- Heat resistance + naked flame(protects wearer)
Uses- Aprons, Fire blankets
What are Microfibres?
They are group of synthetic fibres that are less than one dernier thick
What is Microencapsulation?
- Thin fibres that are used to hold chemicals in tiny capsules
- Break open releasing chemicals
Microfibres+ Microencapuslation
- Fine synthetic fibre woven into different products
- Can be absorbent but fast drying
Uses- Medical textiles, Clothing that is anti bacterial, towels
What does a system consist of?
Inputs, processes and outputs
What is a system diagram?
A diagram that breaks down the operation into 3 main components: Inputs, process and outputs
What is an open loop system?
- A system that has no feedback
- It’s unable to make a decision
- Input directly controls the output
What is a closed loop system?
It’s able to make decisions using feedback, usually from a sensor
Some electronic products have a polarity. What does that mean?
They have a positive and negative side to them, therefore it matters which way around they go in a circuit
Toggle switch
Input component
Uses- Lighting
Push to make switch (PTM)
Normally open
Input process
Uses-door bells, keyboard
Push to break switch
Normally closed
Input component
Uses- Alarm systems
Light dependant resistor
LDR
Input component
Uses- Street light
Thermistor
Input component
Uses- Thermostats
Pressure switch
Input component
Uses- Burglar alarms
Light emitting diode
LED
Output component
Uses- Torches, Tv screens
Lamp
Output component
Uses- Car headlamps, floodlights
