A quick materials guide

Metals are usually shiny and conduct heat and electricity well. Many can be bent or shaped without breaking. Iron, aluminium, copper and steel are metals. Steel is strong and rigid, so it can keep its shape when driven into firm ground. Non-metals include wood, plastic, rubber and glass. Non-metals have varied properties: some are hard, some are flexible, and some are brittle. Synthetic cloth is flexible and will not keep its shape when driven into firm ground. A material’s properties help us choose what to use. A saucepan is often metal so it transfers heat to food; its handle may be plastic or wood to reduce heat reaching your hand. Not every metal is magnetic, and not every metal looks shiny when covered or weathered.