© Boardworks Ltd 2005 1 of 20 Graphic Products Materials These icons indicate that teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes Page

© Boardworks Ltd 20051 of 20

Graphic ProductsMaterials

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Learning objectivesL

earn

ing

Ob

ject

ives


paper, card and board

plastics

modelling materials

inks

smart materials

fixatives.

To learn about the properties of a range of materials:


Paper is made from pulped wood. There are many different types.When you are selecting a paper, there are two main aspects you should consider:

Surface finish The finish of the paper or board is important to the overall look of a product once it has been printed. The finish affects the texture of the paper and the way it absorbs ink.

Weight All papers and boards have a weighting measured in g/m2

(sometimes written gsm). This is the weight in grams of one square metre.

Paper and boards


Most paper used in schools weighs about 80 g/m2. This is fairly thin.

Paper is usually classed as card when it weighs more than 220 g/m2.

Very thick card is called board. Board is usually made from more that one sheet (ply) of card. The thickness of board is sometimes gauged by the number of sheets it consists of.

The thickness of card and board can be measured in micrometers (or microns for short). Mountboard can be more than 1000 microns thick.

Paper, card and board


Anything weighing less that 220 g/m2 is classed as a paper. Complete the following table to identify a number of papers, their properties and their uses.

Types of paper


Anything weighing more that 220 g/m2 is classed as a card or board. Complete the following table to identify a number of cards and boards, their properties and their uses.

Types of card and board


Uses of paper


Paper size


There are two categories of plastic:HEATED

SHAPED

COOLED

At a molecular level, a thermosetting plastic has more bonds holding it together.

A thermoplastic has fewer bonds, allowing the plastic to be reshaped several times.

HEATED

SHAPED

COOLED

BURN

Thermosetting plasticsA thermosetting plastic can only be heated and shaped once. If you try to heat a thermosetting plastic again, it simply burns.

ThermoplasticsA thermoplastic can be repeatedly heated and shaped.

Plastics


Graphic products mainly use thermoplastics. Thermoplastics are more versatile because they can be reshaped. They can also be recycled, making them ideal for use in packaging.

There are many different types of thermoplastic but we are only going to concentrate on the following four:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)A very versatile plastic that can be flexible or rigid.

PolystyrenesLight, cheap, easily shaped and dyed plastics.

PolyethylenesShatter-proof, lightweight plastics, used for drinks bottles.

AcetateA flexible, transparent plastic that is easily cut.

Thermoplastic


Thermoplastic


Plastic


When you need to manufacture a three-dimensional model, there are a range of materials available to you.

You need to pick the one best suited to the job in hand. The next slide has more information about the properties of some of these materials.

corrugated sheets (plastic and card)

foam board.

Sheet modelling materials, such as:

clay

modelling foam (styrofoam).

Other modelling materials like plaster bandage.

Block modelling materials, such as: Sheet materials can be glued together to make 3D shapes.

Modelling materials


Modelling materials


Once you have made your basic model, it will often need a ‘finish’ to give it colour or an appropriate texture.

The finish you need to use depends on the modelling material you chose.

Corrugated sheet (paper)

Modelling foam

Clay

Plaster bandage

Foam board

Water-based paint

Filler and water-based paint

Glaze or solvent-based paint

Acrylic or other solvent-based paint

Corrugated sheet (plastic)

Modelling finishes


For an ink to function properly it must remain in a liquid state so that it can be applied easily. However, once on the surface of the product it must dry as quickly as possible.

Pigment + Vehicle = InkInk is made up of a solid pigment that is dissolved or suspended in a liquid, called a vehicle. Once applied to the surface, the vehicle is either absorbed or evaporates, leaving the pigment behind.

Pigments


Some materials are referred to as SMART materials – these materials have additional, and often surprising, properties.

For example…

These pigments can be used in products like clothing for

aesthetic, as well as functional

purposes.

E.g. A child’s plastic spoon can

be made that changes colour

from red to yellow if the food is too

hot.

Thermochromic ink and pigments change colour when the environment becomes either hotter or colder.

THERMOCHROMIC INK

Smart pigments


You can present a final design through a presentation drawing.

You can also fix work with hairspray.

Presentation drawings done in soft pencils or pastels must have a fine layer of fixative sprayed onto them to stop the drawing from smudging on contact.

Depending on the medium used, the image may need fixing. This term does not mean to fix something that is broken – it means to apply a fixative to protect the surface of the image.

Fixatives


Encapsulation (also known as laminating) is when an image is put between two layers of plastic.

The plastic is heat sealed around the edges, and to the image.

You can also get cold laminate. The glue is covered by a liner which is peeled off when it is applied to the image

Encapsulation

HOT LAMINATE

COLD LAMINATE

Lamination creates a tough, durable, high gloss finish.


Key pointsK

ey p

oin

ts


There are many different types of paper and card. The correct type must be selected for each graphic product.

Plastics can be either thermoplastics or thermosetting plastics. The properties of plastics vary greatly.

There are many different types of modelling material.

Inks consist of pigment and vehicle.

There are a growing number of smart materials on offer.

Fixatives and encapsulation can be used to preserve images.

Documents

© Boardworks Ltd 2005 1 of 20 Graphic Products Materials These icons indicate that teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes Page