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Leaving Cert Technology: Materials & properties

How often Materials & properties comes up on the Technology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Materials & properties, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Materials & properties.

(a)Which of these is a hardwood?
  1. Scots pine
  2. Ash
  3. MDF
(b)What is a thermoplastic?
  1. A plastic reinforced with glass fibres
  2. A plastic that sets permanently on first heating
  3. A plastic that softens when heated and can be reshaped
(c)Stainless steel is an example of:
  1. An alloy
  2. A thermoset
  3. A composite
Show the answers

(a) Ash

(b) A plastic that softens when heated and can be reshaped

(c) An alloy

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Materials & properties.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A7, A9, B3c
2024A2, A13, B3a, B3c
2023A2, A12, B2d, B3b
2022B2d
2021A2, B2b, B3a
2019B2d, B3b
2018A9, B2b, B3b
2017A10, B2c
2016A4, A5, B2b, B3a

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Materials & properties questions

Materials & properties, 3 marks

Glasses frames made of nitinol spring back to shape after bending. Nitinol is a:

  1. Piezoelectric material
  2. Thermosetting plastic
  3. Shape memory alloy
Show the answer

Shape memory alloy

Shape memory alloys (nickel-titanium) return to a set shape when heated or, in superelastic form, when released. Uses: glasses frames, medical stents, actuators.

Materials & properties, 2 marks

The spark in a push-button gas lighter comes from which smart material?

  1. Photochromic lens
  2. Piezoelectric crystal
  3. Thermochromic ink
Show the answer

Piezoelectric crystal

Piezoelectric materials produce a voltage when squeezed and move when a voltage is applied. Uses: lighters, buzzers, microphones and some sensors.

Materials & properties, 2 marks

Brass is an alloy of copper and which other metal?

  1. Zinc
  2. Tin
  3. Iron
Show the answer

Zinc

Brass is copper and zinc; copper and tin make bronze. Brass is used for door handles, fittings and plumbing parts because it resists corrosion and machines well.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A8, B2a
2024B2b, B3a
2023A3, A4, B2a, B2b, B3c
2022A4, A9, B2b, B3b, B3d
2021B2a, B2d
2019A3, A9, B3b
2018B2a, B3a
2017A1, A3, B2b, B3a, B3d
2016A2, B2a, B2b

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Materials & properties questions

Materials & properties, 2 marks

A ferrous metal is one that contains…

  1. Aluminium
  2. Copper
  3. Iron
Show the answer

Iron

Ferrous metals such as mild steel and cast iron contain iron, and most will rust. Non-ferrous metals like aluminium, copper and brass contain no iron.

Materials & properties, 2 marks

A thermoplastic is a plastic that…

  1. Is made from natural plant fibres
  2. Can be reheated and reshaped many times
  3. Sets permanently the first time it is heated
Show the answer

Can be reheated and reshaped many times

Thermoplastics such as acrylic, HDPE and PET soften when heated and harden when cooled, again and again, so they can be vacuum formed, bent and recycled.

Materials & properties, 3 marks

Why is ash used to make hurleys?

  1. It is tough, flexible and absorbs shock
  2. It is very soft and light, just like balsa
  3. It is fireproof and does not rot
Show the answer

It is tough, flexible and absorbs shock

Ash has long, straight grain that bends without snapping and soaks up impact, so it suits hurleys, tool handles and sports equipment.

Other Technology topics

All of Leaving Cert Technology