It takes more

than 4000 years

It takes more
It takes 20 days to
than 100 years
be descomposed
 Technical materials are used:
To produce the objects we use in our everyday life
To construct all kinds of machines
To build houses, bridges, parks…
 When we have to construct a object, we will choose
the material that fulfil the function for which the
object was designed.

 For example, we wouldn´t make an

umbrella with paper because when
it rains, the umbrella would break
down.
Materials properties are a
set of characteristics which
define each material and
distinguish it from others.
 Material properties can be classified into these
groups: Physical
Properties that define the behaviour of materials when they are properties
subjected to the action of physical agents such as heat,
electrical current, forces…

Properties that define

the behaviour of
Properties that define
materials as they are
the behaviour of
materials when they being worked
are subjected to
Chemical atmosferic or
Technological
properties chemical agents properties
Density

Density is the relatioship between the mass of an object and

its volume.

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔
𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 =
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆

The piece of wood weighs more than the sponge, altough

both pieces are of a similar volume.
The wooden block has a higher density than the sponge.
 OPTICAL PROPERTIES

OPACITY is the TRANSLUCENCY is TRANSPARENCY is

property of materials the property of the property of
that don´t allow light to materials that allow materials that allow
pass through them and light to pass through light to pass through
other objects can´t be them but don´t allow them and allow objects
seen through them objects behind them to behind them to be
be seen clearly. seen clearly.

Some types Some types

Wood an of plastics or of plastics
metals are glass are or glass are
opaque translucent transparent
materials materials materials
MAGNETISM Magnetism is the property of materials
that allows them to attract others metallic
materials.

The most common magnetic material is

iron.

Magnetic materials become into

permanet magnets.
PERMEABILITY Permeability is the property of
materials that allows water or other
liquids to filter through them.

This earthenware is made of a

permeable material.

These bottles are made of

an impermeable material.

Glass or plastic are waterproof.

POROSITY Porosity is the property of materials that can
absorb liquids or gases.

sponge
These materials contain tiny holes called
pores.

Wood, some stones and

ceramic materials are cork
porous

Porosity is related to density.

The more porous is a material, the less
dense it is.
 HARDNES Hardness is the property that indicates
S the material´s resistance to being
scratched or penetrated.
Hard materials can
scratch softer
materials. The harder the
material, the less
deep the
scratch.
clay
lead glass

 In Science, we measure hardness

with the Moss´s scale
 TENACITY Tenacity is the property of materials that
allows them to be hit or struck without
breaking.

The bell´s material doesn´t

break when it is hitted. It´s
TENACIOUS

FRAGILITY

Fragility is the property of

materials that don´t resist
Ceramic breaks easily
impacts without breaking. when it is hitted. It´s
FRAGILE.
 ELASTICITY Elasticity is the property of materials
that allows them to return to its original
form after a force that has changed their
shape is removed.
The rubber band´s material returns to its
original shape and size when we stop stretching
it. It is ELASTIC

PLASTICITY
Plasticity is the property of
materials that don´t return to
its original form after a force Playdough doesn´t return to its
that has changed their shape original shape when we stop
is removed. stretching it. It is PLASTIC
 DUCTILITY Ductility is the property of materials that
allows them to be formed into filaments or
wires when they are stretched.

Copper is DUCTILE

MALEABILITY Malealibility is the property of materials

that allows them to be spread into
filaments sheets or films when they are
compressed.

Slate is MALLEABLE
MECHANICAL Mechanical resistance is the property
RESISTANCE of materials that allows them to
withstand forces without deforming
excessively or breaking

The chair´s material doesn´t

break when people sit on it.
The glass´s
material doesn´t
The hammer´s material deform excessively
doesn´t break when you hit when you catch it.
with it.
Weldability is the property of WELDABILITY
materials that allows them to be
welded

Steels and plastics have a high

degree of weldability.

Industrial welding
 FUSIBILITY Fusibility is the property of materials
that allows them to go from a solid to a
liquid state when they are subjected to
certain temperature

Bronze, brass, iron… To be very fusible materials implies the

are very fusible possibility to be poured into moulds.
materials.

Melting point is the

 Iron, 1184ºC
temperature at which a  Copper, 1084ºC
material goes from  Lead, 327ºC
 Gallium, 30ªC
a solid to a liquid state.  Water, 0ºC
THERMAL Thermal conductivity is the material´s
CONDUCTIVITY capacity to transmit heat.

The cooking pot is made of

Metals transmit heat metal, so the heat of the fire is
easily through them, so transmited to the food in order
they are good to be cooked.
conductors of heat.
The handles are
They are called thermal made of plastic,
conductors. so we can hang
the cooking pot
without burn us.

Wood, plastics or ceramic materials

practically prevent heat from passing
through them.
They are called thermal insulators.
ELECTRICAL Electrical conductivity is the
CONDUCTIVITY material´s capacity to allow an
electrical current to pass through them.
Metals are good
conductors of
electricity. The tool is made of
The handle is made of
metal because it´s
They are called plastic, so in case of a
resistant enough
electrical electrical shock, it
doesn´t keep the
conductors. worker

Wood, plastics or ceramic materials aren´t

good conductors of electricity.
They are called electrical insulators or
insulators.
ACOUSTIC Acoustic conductivity is the capacity
CONDUCTIVITY of materials to transmit sounds.

Metals are good

conductors of
sound.
They are called
acoustic The bronze
(a metal), is an Cotton fibers or
conductors. acoustic conductor. polyurethane are
acoustic insulators.

Glass, fiber, plastics, aren´t good

conductors of sound.
They are called acoustic insulators.
 ECOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
RECICLABILITY TOXICITY BIODEGRADABILITY

Recyclable materials Toxic materials are Biodegradable materials

can be reused. harmful to the are those that
environment descompose naturally and
They help conserve
They can be poisonous don´t cause damage to the
natural resources and
for living as they environment.
avoid the accumulation of
contamine the soil, the
waste products.
water and the
Glass, paper, cardboard, atmosphere.
metal, plastics… Paper,
water-
soluble
plastics…

Mercury, heavy metals,

petroleum…