AQA GCSE Design and Technology key terms

Timber obtained from coniferous trees, which usually have needles and cones. The category does not mean that the wood is physically soft.

A mixture of powdered solder and flux applied to PCB contact pads before components are placed and the board is heated.

Stiff board with smooth, white surfaces on both sides, used for greeting cards, packaging and advertising.

Joining compatible polymer surfaces by applying a solvent that softens or dissolves them; the joint sets as the solvent evaporates.

An output device that converts varying electrical signals into sound and can reproduce speech, music and other complex sounds.

A tool selected to suit a particular material, task, accuracy or finish.

A blade that spreads printing colour and pushes it through the open areas of a screen onto fabric.

A textile treatment that makes substances such as oil and water-based spills less able to attach to or penetrate the fabric.

A person or group with an interest in, influence over, or involvement with a product, or who is affected by it.

A ready-made part supplied in standard sizes or specifications, such as a woodscrew, zip or resistor.

A way of writing a number as $a\times10^n$, where $1\leq a<10$ and $n$ is an integer.

Resistance to bending or changing shape under a force.

An external change or influence that causes a material to respond, such as temperature, stress, moisture, pH or UV light.

Material supplied in a standard shape or format, such as a sheet, board, bar, tube or roll, from which components can be made.

The ability of a material or structure to withstand forces without failing.

A comparison of a material’s strength with its weight; a high value means it provides substantial strength without adding much weight.

The internal force per unit area within a material caused by loading.

The total area of an object’s surfaces, measured in squared units such as $\text{mm}^2$ or $\text{m}^2$.

A coating or process used on a material’s surface to improve its appearance or performance.

A method of assembly in which electronic components are attached directly to contact pads on the surface of a printed circuit board.

A process applied to a material to change or protect its surface or improve its resistance to deterioration.

Meeting present needs while conserving resources and limiting harm so that future generations can also meet their needs.

A component that opens or closes electrical contacts to interrupt or complete a circuit path.

A manufactured textile fibre made from chemicals, commonly derived from oil, such as polyester, polyamide or elastane.

A diagram showing the inputs, processes and outputs of a system and how they are linked.

An approach that plans how connected parts work together, often by identifying inputs, processes and outputs.

Long, temporary running stitches used to hold fabric pieces in position before permanent sewing.

Pressure-treating timber with preservative chemicals to improve resistance to rot, fungi and insects.