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Lesson 2 of 12
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of papers and boards

I can explain how paper and board material properties can be enhanced.

Lesson 2 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of papers and boards

I can explain how paper and board material properties can be enhanced.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Combining materials creates improved properties, compared to the individual materials alone.
  2. Material properties can be modified with the use of heat and/or additives.
  3. Reinforcing techniques can improve a material’s structural integrity.

Keywords

  • Properties - words used to describe how a material appears (physical/characteristic), or behaves when worked (working/mechanical)

  • Combine - to join two or more things to create something new

  • Modify - to change something to make it perform differently

  • Reinforce - to make something stronger

  • Structural integrity - how well something stays together and holds up without breaking

Common misconception

A material's properties are fixed and cannot be changed.

Many materials can be altered after they are made to improve their properties, e.g. strength, flexibility, etc.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Enhancing the properties of papers and boards, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use existing products to demonstrate altering material properties.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Materials are chosen based on their physical and working .

Correct Answer: properties, property

Q2.
Which of the following is a working/mechanical property of a material?

colour
Correct answer: hardness
density
transparency

Q3.
The ability of a material to resist breaking when a force is applied is called .

Correct Answer: toughness, tough

Q4.
Match each material with its primary working/mechanical property:

Correct Answer:rubber,elasticity

elasticity

Correct Answer:steel,toughness

toughness

Correct Answer:copper,electrical conductivity

electrical conductivity

Correct Answer:glass,hardness

hardness

Q5.
Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

physical properties/characteristics relate to how a material looks and feels
working/mechanical properties describe material behaviour when exposed to forces
Correct answer: hardness is a physical property/characteristic
elasticity is a working/mechanical property

Q6.
Put the following materials in order of increasing hardness (from least to most hard):

1 - pine
2 - acrylic
3 - glass
4 - steel

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the main job of the matrix in a composite material?

to give the material its strength
to make the material heavier
Correct answer: to bind the reinforcement together and protect it
to allow the reinforcement to move freely

Q2.
What is the purpose of adding additives to papers and boards during production?

to make the paper thicker and heavier
Correct answer: to change the colour and improve the surface properties
to make the paper biodegradable
to reduce the cost of production

Q3.
Which process uses heat and pressure to create a denser and smoother material?

Correct Answer: calendering

Q4.
How can chemical treatments be used to enhance paper and board materials?

by making boards thicker
creating a permanent colour change
Correct answer: by adding special coatings or substances
by making papers thinner and more flexible

Q5.
What does 'structural integrity' refer to in materials and structures?

Correct answer: it can maintain its shape under normal conditions without breaking
the aesthetic appearance of a structure
it can resist environmental changes like temperature and moisture
the cost-effectiveness of building a structure

Q6.
Match the following structural integrity techniques to their definition:

Correct Answer:lamination,one material bonded to at least one other

one material bonded to at least one other

Correct Answer:calendering,high pressure and heat is used to compact fibres

high pressure and heat is used to compact fibres

Correct Answer:corrugation,a fluted layer is used to provide strength

a fluted layer is used to provide strength

Correct Answer:gussets,folded sections that allow expansion and improve load distribution

folded sections that allow expansion and improve load distribution

Correct Answer:interlocking tabs,used for flat packages to hold their shape, without the need for glue

used for flat packages to hold their shape, without the need for glue

Correct Answer:ribbing,adding walls or ridges to a material to improve its strength

adding walls or ridges to a material to improve its strength