Fig 9 shows a desk organiser used in a design studio. The base is made from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) coated with melamine. The pen holder is a sectio...
Question 1 Report
Fig 9 shows a desk organiser used in a design studio. The base is made from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) coated with melamine. The pen holder is a section of aluminium tube. The phone stand is bent from a single piece of clear acrylic sheet.
(a) State whether aluminium is a ferrous or non-ferrous metal. [1]
(b) Name the material classification of acrylic. [1]
(c) Give one property of MDF that makes it suitable for the base of the desk organiser. [1]
[Total: 3 marks]
Answer Details
(a) Aluminium is a non-ferrous metal. [1] Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron as their primary element. Aluminium is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and non-magnetic, all characteristic properties of non-ferrous metals.
(b) Acrylic is classified as a thermoplastic. [1] Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, and this process can be repeated. Acrylic (PMMA) can be heated and formed into curves using line bending or vacuum forming, making it ideal for the phone stand in this product.
(c) One property of MDF that makes it suitable for the base of the desk organiser: MDF has a smooth, flat surface that can be easily coated with melamine laminate, producing a clean, professional finish with no visible grain or surface imperfections. [1] Unlike solid timber, MDF has no grain direction, so it does not split, warp, or move with changes in humidity, ensuring the base remains perfectly flat.
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