Properties and Ecological Footprint — Natural and Manufactured Timber In-Depth — Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology C600
Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology · C600
Properties and Ecological Footprint
What you need to know
Evaluate the physical and working properties of hardwoods, softwoods, and man-made boards, including toughness, flexibility, grain structure, and strength.
Analyze the strengths, weaknesses, and common defects of natural solid timber (e.g., shrinkage, splits, shakes, knots, fungal attack).
Differentiate between specific hardwoods (beech, oak, mahogany, balsa, jelutong) and softwoods (scots pine, western red cedar, parana pine).
Assess the characteristics of manufactured boards such as plywood, MDF, chipboard, and hardboard.
Evaluate the ecological and social footprint of timber production, including the environmental impact of deforestation.
Apply life-cycle analysis to timber products and understand society’s changing views on waste and recycling.
