Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology key terms

Assembling components without adhesive to check their fit and alignment before permanent assembly.

The ability of a material to undergo permanent stretching without fracturing, allowing it to be drawn into wire.

A material’s ability to withstand deterioration over time, including decay, weathering and insect attack.

A period during which the follower remains stationary while the cam continues to rotate.

A series of 12 preferred resistor values in each factor-of-ten range, traditionally associated with $\pm10\%$ tolerance.

Distributing a small amount of extra fabric along an edge so that it fits another edge without visible folds.

A treatment that reduces creasing and the need for ironing, commonly by applying and curing a resin.

A situation in which resources are used faster than nature can replenish them.

The overall environmental impact of obtaining, processing, transporting, using and disposing of a material or product.

An issue concerning costs, affordability, income or profitability associated with a product.

Moving to another region or country to find work or improve economic opportunities.

A reduction in the cost per product associated with producing or purchasing in large quantities.

A treatment that secures a cut fabric edge against fraying and gives it a neater appearance.

Applying dye or ink to the cut edges of paper, board or a block of pages to colour them.

The proportion of input work transferred into useful output work, commonly expressed as a percentage. For a mechanism, $\text{efficiency} = \frac{MA}{VR} \times 100\%$.

The input force applied to a mechanism.

The distance from a lever’s fulcrum to the point where the effort is applied.

A material’s ability to deform under a load and return to its original shape when the load is removed.

A rubber-like polymer that can recover its size and shape after being deformed.

Equipment that depends on electric currents or electromagnetic fields to work, or that generates, transfers or measures them.

The ability of a material to allow electric charge to flow through it.

A material that allows electrical current to pass through it readily.

A material that resists the flow of electric current, used to separate conductors and protect against unwanted electrical contact.

The separation of circuits so that there is no direct conducting connection between them.

A furnace that uses electrical energy to melt metal, commonly recovered steel scrap, for steelmaking.

A furnace that uses electric arcs to heat and melt metal, widely used to make steel from scrap.

A material that changes colour when an electrical stimulus is applied.