1. Construction materials Types and properties.

2. Types There are four types of construction materials: Metals – Examples? Non-metals – Examples? Synthetic materials – Examples? Natural materials – Examples?

3. Properties of construction materials Structures are mostly built to last right? Stand up to the elements such as water, wind and sunlight. If we know different properties of materials we will know how to use them properly in construction of buildings and structures in general.

4. Mass and density Density: Measure of amount of matter in an object (it’s mass) compared to it’s volume (size E.g. The same volume of iron and polystyrene have different densities, because the mass of iron is much greater than the mass of polystyrene. A material with a higher density can support or stand greater force.

7. Hardness The ability of a construction material, such as plastic, wood metal or glass, to resist scratching, wear and tear or denting. Stainless steel is a much harder material than glass, and glass is harder than wood.

8. Stiffness A measure of how much a material can bend or lose it’s shape when a force is applied to it. The thickness of a material can improve it’s stiffness. The material used to construct columns found in parking garages must be stiff enough to be able to hold the floors above. Concrete becomes stronger as time goes on, this causes it to become more stiff.

9. Flexibility Determined by how much the material is able to bend before it starts to crack. Examples of flexible materials are metals and wood. Corrosion is the chemical process that takes place when metal comes in contact with oxygen. Oxygen and water cause a chemical reaction on iron called rust. Corrosion reduces durability of an construction material. DURABILITY means a material can stand corrosion, wear and tear or deterioration. Plastic and stainless steel are least likely to corrode.

11. Resistance to corrosion Materials with more resistance to corrosion will last longer before starting to wear. Stainless steel and aluminium are more resistant because they are less reactive to oxygen.

12. Prevention of Corrosion Methods have been developed to delay the process of corrosion. These methods try to prevent contact with water and oxygen to prevent corrosion. Methods: I.Keep the material dry. II.Paint with waterproof paint. III.Cover with rust resistant materials such as zinc.