2.

MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

2.
Materials and
Components

The authors have attempted to use images that are free of copyright restriction however if there are omissions or inaccuracies
please inform us so that any necessary corrections can be made. The authors are also grateful to those businesses and
agencies including Dyson, Blackpool Creative, Rob Law CEO Trunki (images and text provided by Trunki.co.uk), PROTO
3000 and Matthew Cooke that have given permission for images from their websites to be used in this work.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

MATERIALS
NATURAL - DEFINITION
Natural material is derived from plants, animals or ore [ground].
It is possible to categorise natural materials into organic
materials such as wood or fibres or inorganic materials such as
stone, or ore. [metallic ore to produce metals such as copper,
iron, lead and gold.

COMPOSITE—DEFINITION
When two or more materials are bonded or combined together
it creates a composite material. Usually the new material has
improved properties than the original materials. The main
components of a composite material are the strengthening
material and the bonding matrix [glue or resins]. Usually these
type of materials have excellent weight to strength ratios. [Much
stronger than other materials compared to the same weight]

SYNTHETIC - DEFINITION
The term synthetic is used to describe materials that have been
created by man via a scientific process. It is possible to mix
materials or chemicals to create a new material. In some
instances chemicals are mixed together to simulate or copy
natural materials, the leather look for example.

SMART - DEFINITION
The term ‘Smart material’ is used to explain the properties of a
special range of materials. Smart materials can react to its
environment when introduced to outside stimuli without the
interference of humans. These materials have given designers
opportunities to design products that a few years ago would not
be possible.

REGENERATED—DEFINITION
Materials that have been re used or processed into a different
type of product such as wood waste processed into chipboard or
MDF. This material would have different properties to the
original material.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Working Properties of Materials

Different materials have different working characteristics. This is essential
to the designer when selecting a specific material for a particular
component that needs to perform in a certain way.

Listed are key characteristics materials will exhibit.

Conductivity
This is the ability of the material to conduct heat or electrical energy.

Strength
This is the ability of the material to withstand impact or force without
deforming or breaking.

Elasticity
This is the ability of the material to bend or deform and return to its
original shape.

Plasticity
This is the ability of the material to permanently change its form or
shape.

Malleability
This is the ability of the material to be deformed or bent in all directions
without breaking.

Ductility
This is the ability of the material to be stretched without breaking.

Hardness
This is the ability of the material to resist scratches, indentation and
withstand wear.

Toughness
This is the ability of the material to withstand sudden impact or blows
without breaking.

Durability
This is the ability of the material to withstand constant wear.

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 NATURAL MATERIALS
Material Classification - NATURAL
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
Cotton Absorbs sweat.  T-shirts
Machine-washable.
Drapes well and is  Towels
Dry-cleanable.
comfortable against the skin. Good strength.  Bed sheets
 Socks

Copper Reddish pure metal. Very malleable—can be bent  Electrical wire

Non ferrous metal. and shaped over and over
 Saucepans

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o without breaking.
Melting point of 1100 C.
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

 Copper water pipes

Very ductile - can be
Good electrical conductivity.
stretched to a thin wire.
Good heat conductivity.
Good resistance to corrosion.
Comes from sheep. The fibres can be spun into  Jumpers
Wool
yarns and knitted into  Wool Carpets
Good thermal qualities.
garments.
Good resistance to fire.
 NATURAL MATERIALS
Material Classification - NATURAL
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
• Jewellery
Silver Pure Metal. Very malleable and can be
shaped and bent to intricate • High value
White lustre precious metal.
shapes and forms.
• Tableware
Best metal for electrical and
heat conductivity. • Electrical contacts

Quite expensive. • Plating of cheaper metals such as

brass

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Tarnishes quite quickly. • Mirrors
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Silk Natural fibre from the cocoon Good absorbency that makes
of the mulberry silk worm that it comfortable to wear in hot
• Shirts and
can be woven into textiles. climates - cooling effect.
Blouses
One of the strongest natural
fibres but loses 20% of its • Underwear
Natural shine and lustre with
strength when wet.
smooth texture. • Pyjamas
Drapes well.

Linen Linen is a textile made from the Fibres woven into a textile. • Underwear
fibres of the flax plant.
Highly absorbent and a good • Shirts
Valued for its exceptional conductor of heat, hence
• Trousers
coolness and freshness in hot comfortable to wear in hot
weather. weather. • Jackets
• Blouses
 NATURAL MATERIALS

Material Classification - NATURAL

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics
SOFTWOOD High resistance to rotting and Used for outside work, like • Garden Sheds
weather. furniture or sheds.
Red Cedar
Very expensive to buy.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

SOFTWOOD Whitish/cream coloured wood Quite easy to cut and shape. • Building Industry
with coarse grain pattern. Can No good for carving
Scots Pine have a lot of knots. because of its coarse grain
pattern.
Much cheaper than Hardwoods.
Must be treated if used outside.
 NATURAL MATERIALS
Material Clasification - NATURAL
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
HARDWOOD  Because of its flexible qualities
Excellent wood for turning on a Open-grained, tough and
it's used for tool handles,
Ash lathe. flexible.
hammer, spades,
Springy / flexible qualities .
sledgehammers.
 Turned work Bowls etc.
HARDWOOD Very tough and durable. Very hard and tough and  High quality furniture interior and
Oak Good resistance to rot and difficult to cut and shape. exterior.
damp environment.  Wooden flooring.

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 Fence posts and gates.
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

 Because it is so hard it's very good

for carving work.

HARDWOOD Red / Brown in colour, with High quality finishes can be  High quality interior
good quality grain pattern. applied. furniture.
Mahogany
Straight grained—easy to carve
and work.

HARDWOOD Very lightweight and soft. Can be easily shaped and  Model making.
Balsa cut.  Model aircraft because it so
Not suitable for traditional light.
furniture.
HARDWOOD Very Tough with a natural oily Teak has a very attractive  Outdoor garden
Teak finish. straight grain and is resistant furniture.
Excellent resistance to damp to moisture, fire and acid.  Worktops for benches in
environments and chemicals. laboratories.
 SYNTHETIC MATERIALS

Material Classification - SYNTHETIC [Man made]

Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
Acrylic Available in many colours as Can be brittle on impact but  Crash helmet Visors
well as clear. less likely to break than  Car Headlamp covers
Good resistance to chemicals. normal glass.  Signs
Scratches much easier than Thermoplastic can be
glass. moulded and shaped with

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heat.
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Epoxy Resin Thermosetting polymer. Comes in two parts RESIN &  Paint and coatings must be
Excellent electrical and heat HARDENER. cured before use [Heated in a
insulation qualities. Kiln]
 White powder coating on
white goods [e.g. washing
machines, dishwasher, fridges]
 Adhesives [Araldite]

PTFE [Teflon] Type of Polymer made Very low friction.  Coating on non stick pans
from chemicals. Used as coatings on  Bearings or surfaces that come
Accidentally created by materials. into contact
Roy Plunkett in 1938
 SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
Material Classification - SYNTHETIC [Man Made]
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
Polyamide (NYLON) Sunlight resistance and Very tough and durable  Bearings in machinery
excellent abrasion  Castors on portable
resitance. equipment

Cellophane Obtained from natural cellulose 100% Biodegradable.  Sellotape or adhesive

wood pulp or fibre. tapes
Can be waterproof but
 Food packaging
Usually a thin clear film used for breathable at the same time.

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 Sweet packaging
food packaging
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

 Because it is breathable

Polypropylene Thermoplastic polymer that is Can be moulded into shape.  Ropes

available in many colours.  Folders
 DVD Cases
Very malleable, can be bent over
 School chair body
and over without breaking.
Suitable for creating natural
hinges, folders or DVD cases.
Very high tensile strength.

PVC [Polyvinyl Chloride] Thermoplastic. Can be extruded into long  Window Frames
profiled shapes.  Guttering
Quite flexible.
 SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
Material Classification - SYNTHETIC [Man Made]
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics
ABS Very tough and durable Can be moulded into  Casings for Mobile phones
complex shapes.  Casings for computers
Very rigid and stiff.
 Components for Dyson
Can be recycled.
High impact resistance. Vacuum cleaner
Good finish and colour range

Elastane [Lycra] A composite of synthetic High Elasticity properties and  Swimming suits [Fastskin]
materials devised by DuPont in is a material that can be  Keep fit clothing

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[PERFORMANCE 1959 to create a modern fabric stretched. Its possible to  Cycling clothing
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

MATERIAL] that revolutionised the textiles stretch the material up to

industry. Elastane is recognised 600% more than its original
as its brand name – Lycra or size before it will break.
Spandex. Usually it can be mixed
Very Light material.
with wool, nylon or cotton.
Resists absorption of sweat.

Polyester Made from natural occurring Less natural feel than natural  Bed Linen
chemicals in plants, and is usually fibres such as cotton.  Shirts
categorised as a Thermoplastic.  Bottles
Less likely to wrinkle.
Can be woven into sheets of  Curtains
fabrics. Can be processed and Can be blended or mixed  Tarpaulins
used as PET bottles [polyethylene with other natural fibres such  Films
terephthalate]. as cotton to achieve a more  Safety belts
natural feel.
Very high tensile strength.
 COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Material Classification - COMPOSITE

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics
Kevlar High resistance to impact. Made of woven fibre .  Bullet Proof Vests
High resistance to abrasion  Fire Resistance clothing
[PERFORMANCE  Performance Tyres on
MATERIAL] bikes or racing cars
 Protective motorcycle
clothing

Carbon Fibre Made of Woven carbon fibres with Can be formed to  Canoe shells

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Resin matrix to solidify form or complex forms and  Racing Car Body shells
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

shape. shapes.  Racing cycles

Higher strength to weight than steel.

Goretex A PTFE based polymer material that Waterproof - due to minute  Outdoor clothing
is waterproof, windproof and pores in the material which
[PERFORMANCE breathable. The material has minute are much smaller than water
MATERIAL] pores [holes] 20,000 times smaller droplets, water can’t
than water droplets so water can’t penetrate the material.
penetrate the material. The pores Windproof – due to the
are big enough for water vapour to layered construction, wind
escape [sweat] making the material cannot penetrate the
breathable. material.
Breathable - The minute
pores allow water vapour or
sweat to escape through the
material.
 COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Material Classification - REGENERATED / COMPOSITE

MATERIAL Material Material USES Examples

PROPERTIES Characteristics

MDF Made of very fine waste wood Can be finished and painted  Carcassing of furniture—
particles bonded together under to a very high quality. usually veneered to hide
Medium Density Fibreboard
pressure with adhesive. Cannot be joined in surface
Brown plain colour. traditional fashion.  Furniture
Very heavy and dense. Very poor in damp or wet  Shop displays
Smooth finish. situations interior use only
Available in large sheets.

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Very stable will not warp or
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

twist.

Block board Strips of wood stuck together Available in large sheets.  Furniture
side by side with the grain Cannot be joined in
going in the same direction. traditional ways.
Layers of veneer are stuck on Can be veneered to give
top in opposite direction to give a high quality finish.
strength.

Plywood Layers of wood with grain of each Cannot be joined using  Drawer bottoms
layer at 90 degrees to previous traditional methods.  Boat building
layer. Can be veneered to give a
[Laminated] better surface finishing.
Available in large sheets. Can be bent or laminated to
Very stable will not warp or twist. form shapes e.g. boat
Very strong in all directions. building.
 REGENERATED MATERIALS
Material Classification - REGENERATED

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics
Chipboard Large particles of waste wood Cannot be joined in  Carcassing of cheap
bonded under pressure with traditional fashion. furniture
adhesive.
Very poor in damp or wet  Usually laminated with
Very cheap and available in situations. melamin or Formica to
large sheets. improve appearance
Interior use only.
 Kitchen worktops

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Paper Paper is a thin material produced Available in differenet  Writing paper

by pressing together moist fibers, thicknesses [gsm] and in
 Cleaning tissues
typically cellulose pulp derived sizes A1, A2, A3 etc.
from wood, rags or grasses, and Available in different colours  Packaging
drying them into flexible sheets.  Graphic Design
Strong in tension.  Photography

Card Cardboard is a generic term for a Available in different  Model making

heavy-duty paper of various thicknesses and sizes. Much
 Packaging
strengths, ranging from a simple stiffer and stronger than
arrangement of a single thick paper.
sheet of paper to complex
configurations featuring multiple
corrugated and un-corrugated
layers.
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Stock Forms of Materials

Metal
Materials are available in many different dimensions
and profiles which are suitable for different
applications.
Metal Stock shapes

Metals are available in sheet, flat and round bar,

extruded profiles such as tube, box section, hexagonal
and channels form, wire and ingots ready to be cast
wire.

Wood
Natural wood is available in standard stock form in
different lengths.
Manufactured boards [Bonded material] such as
Plywood, MDF, Block board and chipboard are available
in large sheet form e.g. - 1200mm x 2400mm suitable for Forms of Wood
large wooden panelling or large surfaces where the use of
natural wood would be unsuitable or too expensive to
use.

Plastics
Plastic materials are available in many different forms ready
to be used or processed. Like metal and wood they are
available as sheet form or as extruded profiles.
They are also in granules or powder form ready to be
moulded or formed under heat.
Thermoset plastics are available in Resin and woven matting
form that can be moulded into intricate shapes and forms
over moulds.

Forms of Plastics

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

SMART MATERIALS
SMART materials are those that change in reaction to change in
conditions in their surroundings or in their use when influenced by
controlled factors - such as passing an electric currrent through them.
Modern products increasingly use them as imaginative designers see
the potential they offer. Shirts that change colour with changes in
temperature and thermometers that are in the from of printed strips
use thermochromic inks whilst photochromic inks respond to changes
in light conditions.

Thermochromic ink on fabrics which

Clothing also uses inks that have this characteristic and have patterns
changes colour when submitted to heat
that change with altering light conditions.

Materials that respond to an electric current might be used as component parts of safety valves or as a part of a
functional system that uses the change in shape with current to trigger some other process. These are 'shape
memory alloys' (SMA).

Thermoelectric materials again use electrical current but change temperature - in this way cooling or heating can
take place and this effect is being used to design innovative products.

Polymers that change their shape with changes in temperature are sometimes called 'Intelligent gels' - It is only
imagination that limits the products that might be created as more such materials are developed.

SMART materials have one or more properties that can be dramatically altered. Most everyday materials have
physical properties, which cannot be significantly altered; for example, if oil is heated it will become a little thinner,
whereas a smart material with variable viscosity may turn from a fluid which flows easily to a solid. A variety of
smart materials already exists, and are being researched extensively. These include piezoelectric materials,
magneto-rheostatic materials, electro-rheostatic materials, and shape memory alloys. Some everyday items are
already incorporating smart materials (coffeepots, cars, the International Space Station, eyeglasses) and the
number of applications for them is growing steadily. Each individual type of smart material has a different property
which can be significantly altered, such as viscosity, volume, and conductivity. The property that can be altered
influences what types of applications the smart material can be used for.

For some time now, scientists have been researching materials, which – equipped with sensors and controls –
“behave” similarly to biological systems. Initial successes with these kinds of “smart materials” have already been
achieved. As a result, materials could soon be available which repair themselves or adapt to certain environmental
conditions autonomously.

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 SMART MATERIALS

Material Classification - SMART MATERIAL

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics

SMA Returns to its original shape if Material remembers its original  Teeth Braces
deformed e.g. frames for shape if deformed and will  Frames for Spectacles
Shape Memory memo flex glasses spring back return to original state.
Alloy [NITINOL] into shape if the frames are

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bent or sat on accidentally.
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Photocromic Glass This Glass changes colour when The pigment in the glass will  Glass on welding
subjected to light. react to light and change its masks that reacts
Glasses that darken when in property and darken. instantly when
sunlight. Welding Masks that welding
instantly darken when you weld.
 Lenses on expensive
sunglasses

Thermochromatic This material will change colour  Smart colour pigment

The change in colour happens
when subjected to different in plastics that react
at a determined
Material temperatures. For example to heat
temperature, which can be
kettles that change colour when
varied depending on the
hot. Children's spoons. Bath
material.
plugs for babies.
 SMART MATERIALS

Material Classification - SMART MATERIAL

Material Mechanical Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics

Thermochromic Ink pigment that reacts to Thermochromic ink in the  Ink on beer cans that
heat. This ink pigment can be material will change colour when show if the beer is
Ink used on products as material is subjected to cold.

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indicators of heat. temperature change.
 Ink on eggs that
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

change colour if egg

has been boiled for
long enough

Piezoelectric Material will deform when a This material can be ceramic or  Contact sensors
small electric current is passed crystal (Quartz) based.
 Alarms
Materials through it. It will also produce
a small voltage when  Microphones and
deformed. headphones
 MATERIALS—ALLOYS

Material Classification - ALLOYS [NON FERROUS]

Alloys are METALS that are a mixture of components created to improve the properties of the original materials. For example STEEL is much stronger than
IRON.
Material Material Material Uses Examples
Properties Characteristics

DURALUMIN [Aluminium ALLOY] Mix of Aluminium 94%, Copper Much stronger and tougher  Saucepans
4.4% & Magnesium 1.6%
than pure aluminium.  Aeroplane parts

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Much lighter than steel.

Very good resistance to
corrosion.
Very ductile can be drawn
into a thin wire or rolled
into foil.

BRONZE Used mainly for casting. Many Very good resistance  Sculptures and
artists use bronze to cast to corrosion. castings.
sculptures.
Melting point 900oC.  Ship propellers
 Bearings
 MATERIALS—ALLOYS
Material Classification - ALLOYS [FERROUS]
Alloys are METALS that are a mixture of components created to improve the properties of the original materials. For example STEEL is much stronger than IRON.

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics

LOW Carbon Mild Steel [Ferrous Metal] Most commonly used Very Tough and durable  Car Bodies
metal. Pure IRON mixed material.  Nuts & Bolts
with CARBON to create Can be shaped and cut with  Building Industry
Steel. traditional tools.  Nails
Will rust so must be  Frames

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protected in use [Paint or
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

coating]

High carbon steel Can contains up to 2.5% Due to the increased carbon  Due to higher
[Ferrous Metal] Carbon. content this steel is much carbon content,
harder than low carbon steel is harder so is
steel. Depending on carbon used for cutting
content this steel can be tools, blades,
used to cut or shape other chisels etc
low carbon steel. Used for
cutting tools.
 MATERIALS—ALLOYS
Material Classification - ALLOYS [NON FERROUS]
Alloys are METALS that are a mixture of components created to improve the properties of the original materials. For example STEEL is much stronger than
IRON

Material Material Material Uses Examples

Properties Characteristics
Mix of Copper and Zinc. Very good resistance to  Fittings inside
Brass
Yellow Golden Non Ferrous corrosion. electrical plugs
metal. Excellent electrical  Ornaments
Very Brittle metal, will have to conductor.  Fittings on boats
be heated if bent. Can be cast into and ships
complicated shapes.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Alloy of Tin 90% Copper 4% Very low melting  Cast ornaments

Pewter
Bismuth 2% and Lead 2% point 200oC  Jewellery
Ideal for casting  Middle ages
tableware. Plates
etc.

Stainless Steel Much tougher than Low Very good resistance to  Kitchen utensils:-
Carbon Steel and can be corrosion.  Cutlery
difficult to cut and bend.  Saucepans
 Sinks
 Boat and ship
fittings
2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Finishing Materials
Most products need to be finished, THREE factors must be considered
before carrying out the finishing product.

1. Function
What the product will do and what is it used for. For example, polishing
or super finishing applications to provide low friction for bearing
surfaces, raising fabrics to improve insulation properties. Polyurethane
Mild Steel Brackets Plastic
varnish on a coffee table— can place a hot cup on the table without
Coated
marking.

2. Protection

Does the material or product need to be protected from its working

environment, damp, heat, corrosion, dust etc. Anodising, electro-plating
and stove enamelling provides protection against corrosion, fire-proof
coating on fabric, wax coatings on fabric. Cars painted to avoid rusting.

3. Decoration/Aesthetics
Making the product look a certain way, a particular colour or texture that Cotton Jacket with
makes the product look good. Use of thermoplastic powder coating or waterproof coating
painting, screen printing on fabric, painting a car blue, red or green. applied
Different coloured iPods available.

Finishing Materials
Finishing processes are important to the final quality of a product as they
provide surface coatings and applications that can greatly enhance the
function, protection and appearance of the product.

Car body sprayed with cellulose paint

for protection and aesthetic purposes

Same product finished in different AESTHETIC qualities colouring etc

Different colours will appeal to different people. [Personal Tastes]

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Finishing Materials
AESTHETICS - SURFACE COATINGS ANODISING

Electrical process of giving Aluminium a

decorative coloured coating. Coloured
coating on iPod.

PROTECTION - SURFACE COATINGS GALVANISING

Mild steel dipped in hot molten zinc for a

coating. Mild Steel Rusts when exposed to
water, zinc does not.

Good protection against rust and corrosion.

Used for farm trailers, gates etc.

PROTECTION - SURFACE COATINGS VARNISH / TEAK OIL / WAX

Garden bench – to protect against the

weather
Coffee table – Polyurethane varnish, hot
cup, water resistant.
Enhancing the grain makes the product look
better.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Finishing Materials
PROTECTION & AESTHETICS - SURFACE COATINGS PLASTIC COATING

Plastic Coating - Mild Steel heated and

dipped in polythene powder. Gives good
protection and is available in different
colours so it will look good. Grips on pliers,
plate racks etc.

PROTECTION & AESTHETICS - SURFACE COATINGS POWDER COATING

Powder Coating - Electrically charged

plastic powder that sticks to the metal.
Then the metal is placed in a kiln so that the
plastic coating cures and sticks to the metal.

PROTECTION & AESTHETICS - SURFACE COATINGS PAINT

– Hammerite paint on gates

Car body sprayed with cellulose based paint

SELF FINISHING MATERIALS SELF FINISHING

No finish needs to be applied to these

materials.
Acrylic, stainless steel.
Acrylic or Plastic based products—the
colour is in the plastic pigment.
Stainless steel for kitchen sinks.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

JOINING MATERIALS
Joints can be Permanent or Temporary.
Temporary Joints
Permanent Joints
These types of joints can be taken apart, and are
These types of joints cannot be taken apart. The usually constructed using:-
following methods could be used to create such joints.
 Nuts and Bolts
 Screws
 Welding
 Clips
 Soldering
 Brackets
 Brazing

 Adhesive [Gluing]
 Riveting

Nut & Bolt

Rivets

Welding
Brazing

Screws
Soldering

Nylon fitting

Temporary joints
Permanent joints

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS
Materials and components can be assembled or joined together using
Fittings numerous types of fittings.
Many fittings can be disassembled so that components or parts can be
replaced.

Other types of fittings can be permanent so therefore components or

parts cannot be taken apart.
Both types offer designers advantages and disadvantages

Adhesives

Many different types of adhesives are available on the market that are capable of joining a range of different
materials.
Adhesive have different applications depending on materials that need to be joined and where the job will
need to be used.

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2. MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

KNOCK DOWN FITTINGS

Knock-down fittings are those that can be put together easily, normally
using only a screw driver, a drill, a mallet/hammer and other basic tools.
They are temporary joints although many are used to permanently join
together items such as cabinets and other pieces of furniture that are
purchased in a flat pack.

These have been developed for the flat pack market.

Nylon Corner Block

A number of stores sell furniture in flat pack form. Eg IKEA, MFI, B&Q etc.

Usually this type of furniture are made from chipboard which is either
laminated with melamine [type of thermoset plastic, or Formica]. These
are available in a number of different colours, depending on the customer
tastes. Nylon Screw plugs

Also they are available covered in veneer, thin layer of wood, so that the
furniture looks like real wood.

Advantages
 Furniture is much cheaper - the manufacturers don't have to pay CAM action fitting
anyone to assemble the furniture.
 Takes less space to store in the warehouse - saves money and Cylinder with thread
therefore cheaper product.
 Transport costs are lower - able to carry more at one time,
cheaper product to the customer.
 Customer able to take the furniture home with them straight away.
Disadvantages
 Can be difficult to assemble - some people might struggle.
 Quality of product in some cases can be poor.
Screw

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