Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology key terms

Material with particular characteristics that may need to be sourced from a specialist supplier or ordered specially rather than obtained from normal stock.

A nozzle containing small holes through which polymer is forced to form textile filaments.

A mechanical fastener with two legs that are spread after insertion through a hole, used to retain paper or board components and sometimes provide a pivot.

A textile designed for sports clothing, footwear, accessories or equipment.

Applying a finish to selected areas, such as a logo, rather than covering the whole surface.

A timber's ability to retain its shape and dimensions rather than warp.

An iron-based alloy containing chromium, and often nickel, that has good resistance to corrosion.

A property or treatment that makes a textile less likely to become stained.

Shaping or cutting sheet metal using a press and shaped tooling; operations can include bending, drawing, embossing and punching.

A ready-made part supplied in a standard form, such as a staple or paper fastener, that can be incorporated into a product.

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

A part made to a common specification so that it is interchangeable with other parts of the same specification.

A design that uses common, fixed specifications so that products can be manufactured consistently.

A newly established business developing an idea with the potential to grow into a profit-making business.

A line of straight stitching through a single fabric layer that helps prevent an edge stretching out of shape during construction.

A sheet with cut-out openings through which colour is applied to reproduce a graphic on another surface.

Increasing a material’s resistance to bending so that it holds its shape more readily.

The ability of a material or structure to resist bending or changing shape under a load.

A loop of yarn that forms part of a knitted fabric.

Material supplied in a standard form and size, from which components can be manufactured.

The shape or format in which a material is supplied for manufacture.

Material routinely held by suppliers in standard forms and sizes, ready for purchase.

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

A material’s strength in relation to its weight. A good strength-to-weight ratio means useful strength without excessive weight.

The internal force carried per unit area of a material as it resists loading.

The distance a slider travels from one end of its movement to the other.

The ability of an object or structure to remain intact and retain its shape under the loads it is designed to withstand.

A structural member that resists a pushing force, or compression.