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Lesson 2 of 12
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of textiles

I can explain how textile material properties can be enhanced.

Lesson 2 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of textiles

I can explain how textile 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 material performance.

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.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Enhancing the properties of textiles, 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 force.
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 textile fibres during production?

To make the fabric thicker and heavier
Correct answer: To improve a fabric's strength and performance
To make the fabrics biodegradable
To reduce the cost of production

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

Correct Answer: Calendering

Q4.
How can chemical treatments be used to enhance textiles?

By making fabrics thicker.
Creating a permanent colour change.
Correct answer: By adding special coatings or substances.
By making fabrics 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 its definition:

Correct Answer:Lamination,One material bonded to at least one other

One material bonded to at least one other

Correct Answer:Reinforced seams,Extra rows of stitching to prevent tearing

Extra rows of stitching to prevent tearing

Correct Answer:Gussets,Extra pieces of fabric to increase flexibility and reduce stress

Extra pieces of fabric to increase flexibility and reduce stress

Correct Answer:Rivets,Fastenings that reinforce high-stress areas, like corners

Fastenings that reinforce high-stress areas, like corners

Correct Answer:Boning,Thin strips of polymer/ metal sewn into channels to provide support

Thin strips of polymer/ metal sewn into channels to provide support