Sources and origins
It is important that design engineerA person who works on developing concept ideas produced by designers to achieve a functioning product. The design of the functioning product will be based upon scientific and mathematical understanding. understand the source of the materials they are considering using so that they can evaluate both the economicRelating to money, wealth and the economy, and the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. and environmental costs.
| Material | Source | Example of use |
| Papers and boards | Paper is made from trees but can also be made from recycled paper material | Corrugated cardboard is often used for packaging |
| Timbers | Softwoods come from faster-growing coniferous trees whereas hardwoods come from slow-growing deciduous trees - tropical hardwoods, eg mahogany, only grow in rainforests | Timbers are often used for architectural construction beams and wooden furniture |
| Metals | Metals are sourced from ore, mainly found in deposits underground that require mining and excavation | Metals are often used for car body parts and components, eg nuts and bolts |
| Polymers | Polymers are made from raw materials such as oil, natural gas and coal - they need extensive processing before they become polymers | Polymers are often used for electronics casings and toys |
| Fibres and fabrics | Fibres and fabrics come from natural sources, eg cotton and wool, or are synthetic, eg nylon is a petroleum by-product | Technical fabrics are used in specific applications for their properties, eg Kevlar is used in bulletproof vests as it is very tough |
| Material | Papers and boards |
|---|---|
| Source | Paper is made from trees but can also be made from recycled paper material |
| Example of use | Corrugated cardboard is often used for packaging |
| Material | Timbers |
|---|---|
| Source | Softwoods come from faster-growing coniferous trees whereas hardwoods come from slow-growing deciduous trees - tropical hardwoods, eg mahogany, only grow in rainforests |
| Example of use | Timbers are often used for architectural construction beams and wooden furniture |
| Material | Metals |
|---|---|
| Source | Metals are sourced from ore, mainly found in deposits underground that require mining and excavation |
| Example of use | Metals are often used for car body parts and components, eg nuts and bolts |
| Material | Polymers |
|---|---|
| Source | Polymers are made from raw materials such as oil, natural gas and coal - they need extensive processing before they become polymers |
| Example of use | Polymers are often used for electronics casings and toys |
| Material | Fibres and fabrics |
|---|---|
| Source | Fibres and fabrics come from natural sources, eg cotton and wool, or are synthetic, eg nylon is a petroleum by-product |
| Example of use | Technical fabrics are used in specific applications for their properties, eg Kevlar is used in bulletproof vests as it is very tough |
