Timber: Properties of Materials
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 3.5.1
Properties of Materials
It is important to understand which properties are making the products we use fit for purpose.
Traditional wooden toys
- Traditional wooden toys are made from beech or plywood.
- These materials are effective as they are both strong, particularly plywood.
- Beech is slightly more appropriate as it can take paint better.
- The edges of plywood need to be sanded very carefully to hide the pattern.
Flat pack furniture
- Flat pack furniture is often made from chipboard with a wood veneer.
- Companies like IKEA are able to combine the use of a composite with softwood/hardwood veneer.
- This provides the customer with the strength of timber whilst having the visual appeal of the wood grain.
Benefits of chipboard
- Chipboard furniture is often flat packed and provided as sheets where the customer has to put the product together using small screws or KDF (knock down fittings).
- The furniture will be tough and be able to take some wear and tear due to its strength properties.