Properties of Natural & Manufactured Timbers (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note
Exam code: 8552
Properties of natural and manufactured timbers in commercial products
Commercial products are made from natural and manufactured timbers because of the properties that these materials have
For each commercial product, the material used will have properties which benefit the use of that product
Commercial products made from natural and manufactured timbers
Furniture
Building construction
Children's toys
Garden fencing
Properties of natural timber products and their uses
There is a wide range of timber commercial products
The material that the manufacturer uses for each depends on the properties that the material has
Children's toys
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Beech | Hardness | Resists dents and scratches from repeated handling and knocks during play, keeping the toy looking good for longer |
Beech | Toughness | Absorbs the impact of being dropped or thrown without splitting or cracking, making it safe for children’s play |
Flat pack furniture
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) | Density | Its high density gives a smooth, consistent surface that machines and finishes cleanly, without visible grain or knots |
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) | Absorbency | Readily absorbs moisture and swells, so flat-pack furniture made from it must be sealed or kept away from damp environments |
Building frames
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Larch | Strength | High compressive strength lets it bear the structural load of a building frame without buckling |
Larch | Hardness | Its medium-hard surface resists denting and wear from fixings and general handling on site |
Garden fencing
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Spruce | Density | Relatively low density keeps fence panels lightweight and easy to install without heavy-duty fixings |
Spruce | Strength | Good strength-to-weight ratio lets fence panels resist wind loading without needing thick, heavy timber |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember, 'hard and strong' on its own is an unqualified answer and won't be credited. You need a specific, exam-creditable property such as 'high hardness, so it resists denting and scratching during rough play' or 'good compressive strength, so joints don't crush under a child's weight'. Always attach the consequence of the property to the property itself.
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