Materials & Components GCSE Product Design Materials & Components 4751110003447737

Wood Wood is a very versatile material It can be used for many purposes There are two main types of wood Hardwoods Softwoods

Hardwoods Timber which comes from deciduous trees. The word hardwood does not always mean the wood is ‘hard’. Hardwoods grow slowly, and may take up to 100 years to reach full maturity This makes them more dense and more expensive than softwoods.

Aesthetics of Hardwoods Colour- the colours varies Most can be identified by their colour and pattern of grain Decay- Wood is organic so will decay over time Can be subject to dry rot or attacked by pests making it weak Knots Formed where branches grow or where a bud forms weakening timber Can be an attractive aesthetic feature

Aesthetics of Hardwoods Movement Splitting Cupping Bowing Warping

Properties of Hardwoods Hardwoods are more fibrous than softwoods The fibres are small and compact which gives the wood greater mechanical strength and hardness. The greater the density of wood, the greater its mechanical strength Mahogany- medium dense hardwood used for furniture Balsa Wood- lightweight and not very dense hardwood, used for modelling

Types of Hardwoods Oak Type Grain Pattern Uses Advantages Properties Uses Advantages Disadvantages Oak Hard Tough Durable High density High quality Furniture Garden benches Boat building Veneers Finishes Well Contains and acid which corrodes steel Mahogany Medium Density Indoor Furniture Interior woodwork Window frames Finishes well Relatively easy to work Prone to warping Some tropical types can be a bit soft and fibrous

Types of Hardwoods Beech Ash Type Grain Pattern Uses Advantages Properties Uses Advantages Disadvantages Beech Hard Tough Workshop benches Toys Indoor furniture Chopping boards Finishes Well Turns well Prone to warping Ash Durable Flexible Good Elasticity Sports equipment Ladders Laminated furniture Tool handles Can become splintered

Softwoods Timber which comes from coniferous trees. Softwoods grow more quickly than hardwoods and can reach maturity in 30 years. This makes them less expensive and more sustainable than hardwoods.

Aesthetics of Softwoods Resin- In softwoods the resin will occasionally leak from the timber. Resin is sticky and will leave a stain even on a painted surface. Colour- Softwoods will vary in colour Pine will change colour when exposed to sunlight for long periods. Decay- Softwoods are often prone to decay Movement- Softwoods are also prone to warpping, bowing, cupping and splitting.

Properties of Softwoods The structure of softwood is made up from tube like cells. This makes soft woods less dense than hardwoods. If the end grain in exposed and left untreated the timber absorbs water like a sponge. Softwoods are more prone to water damage than hardwoods.

Types of Softwoods Pine Type Grain Pattern Uses Advantages Properties Uses Advantages Disadvantages Pine Lightweight Construcional woodwork Floorboards Toys Garden Decking Nice colou and grain pattern Grows quickly Prone to warpping Knots can fall out and leave holes

The Growth of Wood From spring to Autumn (growing season) the height and girth (thickness) of a tree increases. Summer growth is responsible for the mechanical strength of timber. The variations in the look of the cells can be seen as annual rings. These rings can be counted to see how old the tree is.

The Production of Wood The tree is felled (cut down) It is taken to a saw mill It is converted ready for seasoning Time for the timber to dry out It is then cut into smaller sections of common sizes and shapes. Most timber is sold ‘Planed all round’ (PAR)

Manufactured Board Manufactured boards are man-made Waste wood is used to make MDF and Chipboard Other manufactured boards (eg plywood) are layers of veneers glued together. Nowadays Manufactured Boards is used much more in furniture and construction that solid timber The Mass production of furniture is almost entirely based around a range of manufactured boards.

Advantages disadvantages of manufactured board

Types of Manufactured board

Types of Manufactured board

Types of Manufactured board

Types of Manufactured board