Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the tracheids held together by in timber?
What are the tracheids held together by in timber?
What is a downside of using timber as a resource?
What is a downside of using timber as a resource?
What is the typical ratio of aggregate to sand to cement in concrete?
What is the typical ratio of aggregate to sand to cement in concrete?
What is the purpose of the cement in concrete?
What is the purpose of the cement in concrete?
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What is a characteristic of fibre-reinforced polymers?
What is a characteristic of fibre-reinforced polymers?
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What is an example of a fibre-reinforced polymer?
What is an example of a fibre-reinforced polymer?
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Why is concrete a stronger material than cement alone?
Why is concrete a stronger material than cement alone?
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What is a natural composite mentioned in the passage?
What is a natural composite mentioned in the passage?
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What is the primary reason for selecting materials with biocompatibility in bio-engineered products?
What is the primary reason for selecting materials with biocompatibility in bio-engineered products?
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What property of stainless steel makes it a suitable material for bio-engineered products?
What property of stainless steel makes it a suitable material for bio-engineered products?
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What is the primary advantage of titanium in bio-engineered products?
What is the primary advantage of titanium in bio-engineered products?
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Why are conventional steels not suitable for bio-engineered products?
Why are conventional steels not suitable for bio-engineered products?
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What is the primary application of titanium in bio-engineered products?
What is the primary application of titanium in bio-engineered products?
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Why are materials like stainless steel and titanium preferred in bio-engineered products?
Why are materials like stainless steel and titanium preferred in bio-engineered products?
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Study Notes
Timber
- Composed of cellulose fibre, tracheids, and lignin, a natural resin
- Excellent specific strength, but prone to weather damage and pest attacks
- Renewable resource, but many hardwoods are difficult to replace once felled
- Removal can harm fragile ecosystems
Concrete
- Composite of cement, sand, and aggregate
- Sand fills gaps between aggregate particles, cement acts as binder
- Portland cement is a man-made ceramic that reacts with water and sets to a hard, brittle solid
- Stronger and more efficient than cement alone for large structures and paths
- Typical composition: 4 parts aggregate, 2 parts sand, 1 part cement
Fibre Reinforced Polymers
- Polymers with added fibre for improved rigidity and impact resistance
- Examples: glass and carbon fibre in polyester or epoxy resins
- Widely used, with extensive applications in aeronautical fields
Bio-Engineered Materials
- Stainless steels, aluminium alloys, and tungsten alloys are commonly used in bio-engineered products.
- Polymers and ceramics are also important, especially for internal use.
Importance of Biocompatibility
- Biocompatibility is crucial when designing devices that are implanted or in contact with the skin.
- Materials must not react with the body and must remain inert to ensure product integrity and health.
Stainless Steels
- Advantages: creates a stable, thin oxide layer that resists corrosion when exposed to atmosphere or body fluids.
- Conventional steels are prone to corrosion, weakening the material and causing infection or rejection by the body.
Titanium
- Derived from minerals rutile and ilmenite (oxide layers).
- Properties: lightweight, excellent corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and good high-temperature properties.
- Corrosion resistance is provided by an adherent TiO2 film stable until 535°C.
- Uses: hip joints, bone screws, knee joints, bone plates, dental implants, and pacemaker cases.
- Machining properties are comparable to stainless steel.
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Description
Explore the characteristics and properties of timber and concrete, two common building materials, including their composition, strengths, and weaknesses.