Properties of Polymers (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note
Exam code: 8552
Properties of polymers in commercial products
Commercial products are made from polymers 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 polymers
Signs, windows and screens
Electrical wiring and pipes
Polymer chair or children's furniture
Food packaging
Properties of polymer products and their uses
There is a wide range of polymer commercial products
The material that the manufacturer uses for each depends on the properties that the material has
Polymer chair
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Polypropylene | Toughness | Excellent fatigue resistance lets the chair flex slightly and return to shape thousands of times without cracking, e.g. when stacked or leaned on |
Polypropylene | Hardness | Moderate surface hardness resists scuffing and scratching from everyday use while still being comfortable to sit on |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don't stop at naming the property: explain what it lets the product DO. Polypropylene's thermoplasticity lets it be reheated and remoulded into complex, ergonomic curved shapes in one piece, and its toughness means the chair resists cracking or splitting on impact rather than shattering.
Simply writing 'because it's plastic', or restating 'tough' with no explanation, earns no marks — you must link the property to its functional consequence.
Electrical fittings
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Conductivity | Very low electrical conductivity (an excellent insulator), essential for safely housing live electrical connections |
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | Absorbency | Very low absorbency stops moisture getting into the fitting and causing an electrical fault |
Shop signage
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Acrylic | Toughness | Good impact resistance means signs can survive being knocked or hit by wind-blown debris outdoors without shattering |
Acrylic | Hardness | Hard surface resists scratching, keeping the sign’s transparency and readability over time |
Food packaging
Material / component | Property | Functional consequence |
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) | Absorbency | Very low absorbency creates an effective barrier to gas and moisture, keeping food fresher for longer |
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) | Strength | High tensile strength lets thin-walled PET bottles hold pressurised drinks without bursting or deforming |
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