ability to resist scratching and indentation

a tool or object pressed into a material’s surface during a hardness test

an industrial hardness test that uses a diamond-shaped pyramid indenter

an industrial hardness test that uses a steel or tungsten carbide ball indenter

Testing working properties of materials

Design and technology

Physical properties of materials

Testing physical properties of materials

Working properties of materials

Metal properties, sources and stock forms

The environmental impact of materials

Selecting materials for manufacture

Modern material properties

This unit will develop pupils' knowledge of the physical and working properties of materials. They will compare material properties through testing, with a focus on metals. The environmental and social impact of materials will also be introduced.

Material testing

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

the ability to absorb impact without breaking

the ability to resist scratching and indentation

Which is the correct definition for hardness?

testing a material’s working properties

The Vickers hardness test uses which type of indenter?

so the results are consistent and can be compared accurately

so the material automatically becomes harder under more load

so the material remains still when testing

Why is it important to apply the same load when testing material hardness?

Working properties are the way in which a material responds to an external {{}} or certain environment.

Identify the environmental conditions that can act on materials.

The physical property of strength includes torsional, tensile and __________.

rubber can stretch and return to its original shape

Which of the following is a working (mechanical) property of a material?

Select the appropriate working properties that need to be considered for a car tyre.

can be drawn into a thin wire without snapping

Testing working properties of materials

Lesson outcome

Content guidance