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Lesson 2 of 12
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of timbers

I can explain how timber material properties can be enhanced.

Lesson 2 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Enhancing the properties of timbers

I can explain how timber 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 timbers, 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
density
Correct answer: hardness
transparency

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

Correct Answer: tough, toughness

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 main purpose of using a veneer on a manufactured board?

Correct answer: to increase the structural strength of wood
to reduce the need for adhesives in joining wood
Correct answer: to improve aesthetics
to make it waterproof

Q3.
What is the name of the process used to bend glued strips/sheets of timber?

An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: lamination, laminating, laminate

Q4.
Why is timber often chemically treated before use in construction or outdoor products?

to make it easier to sand and polish
to prevent fire from starting altogether
Correct answer: to protect it from rot, insects, or fire damage
to permanently waterproof the wood with no maintenance needed

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,thin layers of timber glued together

thin layers of timber glued together

Correct Answer:triangulation,use of a strong shape in structures to prevent bending or collapse

use of a strong shape in structures to prevent bending or collapse

Correct Answer:interlocking joints,parts that slot together for a secure fit and increased glue area

parts that slot together for a secure fit and increased glue area

Correct Answer:bracing,diagonal pieces added to keep a timber frame square

diagonal pieces added to keep a timber frame square

Correct Answer:reinforcement plates,metal components added at corners or joints to strengthen connections

metal components added at corners or joints to strengthen connections