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Materials and Their Properties
Quick questions on Selecting the right material explained: O-Level Design and Technology
2short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is matching factors to the product?Show answer
Different products weight the factors differently. A disposable cup weights cost and recyclability heavily. A surgical tool weights functional properties (hardness, corrosion resistance) and hygiene above cost. A toy weights safety, cost and manufacture.
What is justifying the choice?Show answer
As always, the choice must be justified, ideally against the specification. "Polypropylene was chosen because it is tough and food-safe (functional), can be injection-moulded cheaply in large numbers (cost and manufacture), and is recyclable (environment)." A justified choice names factors and links them to the product; an unjustified choice ("it is a good plastic") earns little. A weighted comparison of candidate materials, like an evaluation matrix, makes the balance explicit.
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