The new materials JJ Shepstone
L.O.’s ALL – To be able to describe the simple properties of at least two new materials MOST – To describe in detail how ‘velcro’ is made and works SOME – To describe how ‘velcro’, ‘kevlar’ and ‘gore-tex’ are made and used
Gore-Tex Gore-Tex is a remarkable multi-layered material in vented by Bob Gore He developed an idea from ‘Teflon’ (PTFE) use on non stick cooking pans. It was ‘breathable’ in other words gas can permeate through the material but water (liquid i.e. Rain) can not. Rain just rolls off! Can you explain why?
Kevlar This remarkable material was the result of an ‘accidental’ discovery at Du Pont. It is a light weight fibre with a high melting point. By making sheets of the polymer and then layer many layers of the sheets they made a flexible material, 5 x stronger than steel! How could it make a bullet proof jacket? How could you use it to make a pair of furnace handling gloves?
Velcro George de Mestral invented this material from Nylon. He copied the way natural burrs (seed cases) stuck to hikers’ socks Try playing with a piece and see if you can write about how it works.
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