Polymers: Forces & Stresses
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 5.1.4
Forces & Stresses
When manufacturing a product, it is important you understand what materials can and cannot do.
Testing
- Materials need to be tested so they are fit for purpose and so they are functional.
- Every material can fit a certain product type but you must know its capabilities.
- Applied forces and stresses can allow us to test the capabilities of materials.
Forces
- Torsion - twisting force applied to both or one end of a material.
- Shear - forces acting across the material in opposite directions.
- Tension - pulling force that is outwards.
- Compression - pushing force that is inwards.
- Bending - forces at an angle to sheet materials.
Test yourself on Polymers: Forces & Stresses
What is compression?
Which of the following is a twisting force applied to both ends of a material?