The Structure and Properties of Matter

The Structure and Properties of Matter - The Uses of Different Materials According to Their
Properties and Structures: Construction of Buildings and Furniture

Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to relate the properties and structures of
construction materials to their uses.

In the previous lessons, you have learned about the uses of metals, ceramics, and
polymers in medical implants, sports equipment, and electronic devices. In this lesson,
you will learn about the uses of these materials in construction supplies.

What are the properties of materials considered in designing and building

homes, schools, and other infrastructures?

Last Updated: 08.12.16

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Materials Used for Construction Supplies

In general, the materials used for construction supplies can be categorized into three,
namely, metals, ceramics, and polymers.

Metals

Metals are strong and durable construction materials because of the strong metallic
bonding between metal atoms. They have a wide range of applications in construction,
including roofing, drainage components, and handrails.

As the structural framework of buildings, metals should be durable and corrosion

resistant. Corrosion, the process by which something deteriorates because of
oxidation, is a major factor in assessing the longevity of the metallic material.

Example
Steel is one of the oldest known construction material. It is an alloy composed primarily
of iron and carbon. It is widely used in construction because of its high tensile strength
and low cost.

When chromium is added to steel, the alloy is referred to as stainless steel. The
addition of about 10.5 to 30% chromium gives rise to superior corrosion- and stain-
resistant properties.

Steel forms iron oxide (rust) in the presence of oxygen. In comparison, stainless steel
does not form rust. Instead, it spontaneously forms a chromium oxide layer on its
surface on contact with oxygen. This passive layer is impermeable and has the ability to
repair itself.

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Ceramics

Ceramics are inorganic, nonmetallic materials comprised of metal, nonmetal, or

semimetal atoms held together by ionic or covalent bonds. These materials are often
used in the construction industry. They are used as abrasive, flooring, roofing and wall
tiles, and countertops.

Example
Silicon carbide (SC) is a compound of silicon and carbon. It is a nonmetallic ceramic
material that behaves almost like a diamond. It is the lightest and the hardest ceramic
material. It has high tear resistance. It is also highly resistant to strong acids and bases.

SC is a construction supply and is often used as an abrasive because of its high tear
resistance and durability. An abrasive is a material that finishes a workpiece through
rubbing. For instance, SC is used in stripping and finishing flooring materials, such as
wood.

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Polymers

Polymers are large molecules with repeating units called monomers. They have a
wide range of applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation,
and signage. For instance, plastics, which are synthetic polymers that can be molded or
extruded into different shapes, are used as the replacement for glass and metal pipes.
Example
Polymethylmethacrylate or acrylic is a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate.

Acrylic has high molecular weight and strong London dispersion forces. It is a
shatterproof and transparent plastic. Hence, it is used as a replacement for glass.

Like glass, acrylic can be molded into different shapes. Granules of acrylic are poured
into a machine that heats them up. As the temperature of the polymer is increased,
intermolecular forces are disrupted turning the polymer into a viscous liquid. At high
temperatures, it can be placed in molds and upon cooling, it solidifies having the shape
of its container.
Try it!
Take a look around your school. Observe your classroom, canteen, library, and the rest
of the school buildings. Do you recognize any construction materials made of metals?
How about those made of polymers and ceramics?

What do you think?

What are the properties of materials used for walls and flooring?

Key Points
 Metals, which are materials held together by strong metallic bonds, are used as
roofing, drainage components, and handrails.
 Ceramics, which are inorganic, nonmetallic materials held together by ionic or
covalent bonds, are often used in the construction industry as abrasive, flooring,
roofing and wall tiles, and countertops.
 Polymers, which are large molecules with repeating units, have a wide range of
applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation, and
signage.

Question 1
Which of the following are the uses of metals as construction supplies?

Correct!
1drainage components3roofing
Metals are strong and durable construction materials because of the strong metallic bonding
between metal atoms. They have a wide range of applications in construction, including roofing,
drainage components, and handrails.

Next question
2electrical insulators4replacement for glass

Question 2
Which of the following elements comprise stainless steel?

Incorrect!
3iron4chromium
Stainless steel is one of the oldest known construction material. It is an alloy composed primarily of
iron, carbon, and chromium.

Next question
1sodium2carbon

Question 3
Which of the following polymers is used as a replacement for glass?

Incorrect!
1polystyrene
Acrylic or polymethylmethacrylate has high molecular weight and strong London dispersion forces.
It is a shatterproof and transparent plastic. Hence, it is used as a replacement for glass.

Next question
2polyethene3polymethylmethacrylate4polyurethane

Question 4
Which of the following properties are attributed to the presence of chromium in stainless steel?

Incorrect!
1water-resistant3dust-resistant
Unlike steel, stainless steel has a minimum of 10.5% chromium that gives rise to its superior
corrosion- and stain-resistant properties.

Next question
2corrosion-resistant4stain-resistant

Question 5
Which of the following is the composition of the impermeable layer of stainless steel?

Incorrect!
2chromium sulfide
Compared to steel, stainless steel spontaneously forms a chromium oxide layer on its surface on
contact with oxygen. This passive layer is impermeable and has the ability to repair itself.

Next question
1chromium oxide3iron oxide4iron sulfide

Question 6
What happens when acrylic is heated?

Incorrect!
1The polymer evaporates and forms a gas.
Like glass, acrylic can be molded into different shapes. Granules of acrylic are poured into a machine
that heats them up. As the temperature of the polymer is increased, intermolecular forces are
disrupted turning the polymer into a viscous liquid.Next question
2The polymer becomes a supercooled liquid.3The polymer solidifies into a certain
shape.4The polymer melts into a viscous liquid.

Question 7
Which of the following describe silicon carbide?

Incorrect!
2It has low resistance to strong acids and bases.
Silicon carbide (SC) is a compound of silicon and carbon. It is a nonmetallic ceramic material that
behaves almost like a diamond. It is the lightest and the hardest ceramic material. It has high tear
resistance and high resistance to strong acids and bases.

Next question
1It has high tear resistance.3It is a metal that behaves almost like a diamond.4It is a
compound of silicon and carbon.

Question 8
In a certain laboratory, small molecules were condensed to form a material comprised of large
molecules with repeating units. When the electrical conductivity of the material was tested, it was
classified as an insulator.

Which of the following is most likely the identity of the material?

Incorrect!
2metal
Polymers are large molecules with repeating units called monomers. They have a wide range of
applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation, and signage.

Next question
1alloy3polymer4ceramic

Question 9
Materials A and B are both tough, durable, and strong building materials. They are both used as
window frames.
Material A is also used in pipes and electrical wiring while Material B is used in flooring and heat
insulation.

What are the possible identities of materials A and B?

Incorrect!
1A is polymer while B is ceramic.
Metals can be used to make window frames, pipes, and roofs. They are good conductors of electricity
so they are often used as electrical wiring. On the other hand, polymers can be used as flooring,
windows pipes, insulation, and signage.

Next question
2A is ceramic while B is metal.3A is polymer while B is metal.4A is metal while B is
polymer.

Question 10
Angelo wants to build a handrail in a stairway in his house.

Which of the following construction materials is best used as a handrail?

Incorrect!
1glass
The best option is stainless steel. Metals are durable materials that can provide stability or support
when ascending or descending stairways.

Finish quiz
2stainless steel3acrylic4silicon carbide