GCSE Design and Technology - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
SIGN TECHNOLOGY GCSE FLASH CARDS
AQA
How is Powder coating performed? 1) The metal is fully cleaned and then heated to 200˚C
2) The metal is then sprayed with a layer of powdered polyethylene from an
electrostatic spray gun. The gun is used to ensure an even coat is applied.
3) The metal is placed back into the oven to cure.
What is PVC used for? (TF) Gutters, window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood
storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes,
stationary,
What is PP used for? (TF) Tupperware, Toys, DVD cases, bottles caps, medical equipment,
What is HDPE used for? (TF) Bottles (usually with chemicals)
What is ABS used for? (TF) Toys,
What is HIPS used for? (TF) Yogurt pots, making containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap
bottles, detergents, and bleaches
What is PET used for? (TF) Drinks bottles, food packaging,
What is acrylic used for? (TF) Car lights ,lenses, acrylic nails, paint, security barriers, medical devices, LCD
screens, and furniture
What is epoxi resin used for? (TS) Encapsulation, adhesives,
What is melamine formaldehyde used for? (TS) Tableware, kitchen work-surfaces,
What is Polyester resin used for? (TS) Boats, car body panels
What is phenal formaldehyde used for? (TS) Saucepan handles, bowling balls, electrical fittings,
Stuvia 2026-2027
, GCSE Design and Technology - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What are the 6Rs? Reuse
Recycle
Repair
Reduce
Rethink
Refuse
What is a composite material? A material made up of two materials to enhance properties.
Examples of composite materials: GRP
CFRP
What is a technical textile? manufactured for perfomance properties rather than visual appearance.
What material could be used on a formula one car? CFRP - lightweight and very strong
Examples of Technical Textiles: Kevlar, fire-resistant fibres, microfibres, conductive fibres
What trees do hardwoods come from? deciduous trees
What trees do softwoods come from? coniferous trees
What are some features of hardwoods? Harder, more expensive, more durable, longer to grow than softwoods
Name some hardwoods oak, mahogany, beech, balsa, ash
Name some softwoods Larch, pine, spruce,
What can affect selection of material? Functionality, aesthetics, availability, environmental factors, cost, social factors,
cultural factors, ethical factors,
What does felled mean? to cut down
Stuvia 2026-2027
, GCSE Design and Technology - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What are the 4 methods to convert a tree into planks? Baulk (square cut by cutting sides off) (BOX)
Through and Through cut (cutting horizontally and then a vertical line down the
centre)
Tangential cut (tessellated rectangles, each time getting bigger) (TESSELLATE)
Quarter cut (cut into 4 quarters, diagonal away at 45 degrees)
Surface treatment and finishes for timbers Surface preparation, painting, varnishing
What is an input? A sensor which uses signals from the environment and converts them to signals
which can be passed to processing devices and components.
What is the starting point of all fabrics? The fibre, which is a very fine, hair like structure.
Where do natural fibres come from? plants and animals
What are some properties of cotton? Good strength, absorbent, flammable, poor insulator.
What are some properties of wool? Moderate strength, absorbent, good insulator, not very flammable,
What are some properties of silk? Good strength, absorbent, warm and cool to wear, not very flammable,
What is a synthetic fibre? Made from oil-based chemicals
What are some properties of Polyamide? Very strong, non-absorbent, poor insulator, melts but does not burn
Stuvia 2026-2027
SIGN TECHNOLOGY GCSE FLASH CARDS
AQA
How is Powder coating performed? 1) The metal is fully cleaned and then heated to 200˚C
2) The metal is then sprayed with a layer of powdered polyethylene from an
electrostatic spray gun. The gun is used to ensure an even coat is applied.
3) The metal is placed back into the oven to cure.
What is PVC used for? (TF) Gutters, window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood
storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes,
stationary,
What is PP used for? (TF) Tupperware, Toys, DVD cases, bottles caps, medical equipment,
What is HDPE used for? (TF) Bottles (usually with chemicals)
What is ABS used for? (TF) Toys,
What is HIPS used for? (TF) Yogurt pots, making containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap
bottles, detergents, and bleaches
What is PET used for? (TF) Drinks bottles, food packaging,
What is acrylic used for? (TF) Car lights ,lenses, acrylic nails, paint, security barriers, medical devices, LCD
screens, and furniture
What is epoxi resin used for? (TS) Encapsulation, adhesives,
What is melamine formaldehyde used for? (TS) Tableware, kitchen work-surfaces,
What is Polyester resin used for? (TS) Boats, car body panels
What is phenal formaldehyde used for? (TS) Saucepan handles, bowling balls, electrical fittings,
Stuvia 2026-2027
, GCSE Design and Technology - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What are the 6Rs? Reuse
Recycle
Repair
Reduce
Rethink
Refuse
What is a composite material? A material made up of two materials to enhance properties.
Examples of composite materials: GRP
CFRP
What is a technical textile? manufactured for perfomance properties rather than visual appearance.
What material could be used on a formula one car? CFRP - lightweight and very strong
Examples of Technical Textiles: Kevlar, fire-resistant fibres, microfibres, conductive fibres
What trees do hardwoods come from? deciduous trees
What trees do softwoods come from? coniferous trees
What are some features of hardwoods? Harder, more expensive, more durable, longer to grow than softwoods
Name some hardwoods oak, mahogany, beech, balsa, ash
Name some softwoods Larch, pine, spruce,
What can affect selection of material? Functionality, aesthetics, availability, environmental factors, cost, social factors,
cultural factors, ethical factors,
What does felled mean? to cut down
Stuvia 2026-2027
, GCSE Design and Technology - Exam Questions & Verified Answers
What are the 4 methods to convert a tree into planks? Baulk (square cut by cutting sides off) (BOX)
Through and Through cut (cutting horizontally and then a vertical line down the
centre)
Tangential cut (tessellated rectangles, each time getting bigger) (TESSELLATE)
Quarter cut (cut into 4 quarters, diagonal away at 45 degrees)
Surface treatment and finishes for timbers Surface preparation, painting, varnishing
What is an input? A sensor which uses signals from the environment and converts them to signals
which can be passed to processing devices and components.
What is the starting point of all fabrics? The fibre, which is a very fine, hair like structure.
Where do natural fibres come from? plants and animals
What are some properties of cotton? Good strength, absorbent, flammable, poor insulator.
What are some properties of wool? Moderate strength, absorbent, good insulator, not very flammable,
What are some properties of silk? Good strength, absorbent, warm and cool to wear, not very flammable,
What is a synthetic fibre? Made from oil-based chemicals
What are some properties of Polyamide? Very strong, non-absorbent, poor insulator, melts but does not burn
Stuvia 2026-2027
