Material selection and sustainability

Start with material choices

Begin with Choice of Material, a mind map that brings together production methods, economy, precision and finish. Use it to see the factors listed when choosing a material. Then move to the flashcard deck on material selection stages, which includes questions about material classification and selecting a material for a safety helmet.

As you study, compare the factors in the map with the questions in the deck. The map gives you a way to organize the ideas; the flashcards let you practice recalling them.

Explore cost and sustainability

The Cost and sustainability mind map looks at material properties and the materials cycle, including raw materials, recycling and reuse. Read it alongside the flashcard deck with questions about wind turbine blades, air transport and combustion emissions. The questions offer another way to think about materials and environmental impact.

The Sustainable materials map lists examples including woods, plastics and concrete. You can use it to find material names to compare with the choices and factors in the other maps.

Use the maps and flashcards together

The environmental impact mind maps include raw, natural and processed materials, as well as groups such as woods, metals, plastics and textiles. Use those maps to practice grouping materials, then return to the material selection flashcards and try the classification questions.

There are no quizzes listed on this page. Instead, use a flashcard question as a prompt, answer it without looking at a map, and return to the map to review the related ideas.

Connect to the unit

Material selection and sustainability is a section of Materials: Classification and Uses in Engineering and technology (general or other). The resources connect classification with use: they group materials and also consider how factors such as production, cost and finish affect a choice. Pick a map and a flashcard deck to study together.