Engineering Pedalo Materials (Basic)

Polyethene: Properties

Impact resistant, recyclable, hard wearing, flexible, cheap and light weight.

Advantages:

Light weight therefore the pedalo would float, hard wearing so would last if badly treated by young children.

Disadvantages:

Not biodegradable so when it is no longer used in would take hundreds of years to rot away in land fill sites.

The seats, rudder and paddles are all made of polyethene.

Glass Reinforced Plastic/Fibreglass: Properties

Impact resistant, expensive, hard wearing, easy to shape, various colours and heavier than polyethene.

Advantages:

Has a low density which makes in lightweight because there is less weight for the same amount of material, does not change shape if bumped about because it is impact resistant and hard wearing,

Disadvantages:

Expensive so may not be appropriate for mass production, although it is lightweight it is heavier than polyethene which makes it less appropriate as this may prevent flotation.

Nylon: Properties

Thermoplastic, cheap, easy to shape, recyclable and impact resistant.

Advantages:

Highly resistant to chemicals therefore if there were any chemicals in the water the pedalos would not corrode, it is highly durable and impact resistant therefore when pushed or kicked with feet will not break.

Disadvantages:

Can be heavy therefore adds weight to the pedalo.

Stainless Steel: Properties

High corrosion resistance this means it does not rust, high melting point, high ductile strength and strong

Advantages:

It does not rust which allows in to be exposed to water and not dried without corrosion, also it has a high melting point so could be put into water of any temperature

Disadvantages:

It is expensive so it may not be appropriate for mass production.

Cast and Machined Bronze: Properties

High corrosion resistance so there is no rust, brittle and high wear resistance.

Advantages:

It does not rust which allows in to be exposed to water and not dried without corrosion,

Disadvantages:

It is expensive so it may not be appropriate for mass production.