Design and Technology – Materials and components | e-Consult

Evaluation of Copier Paper, Card, and Mount Board for a School Fair Display Stand:

Copier Paper:

• Working Properties: Very thin and lightweight. Not very strong or durable. Highly susceptible to damage from moisture and wear.
• Sizes: Standard A4 size.
• Common Uses: Printing documents, reports, and general office use. Unsuitable for structural applications.
• Environmental Impact: Made from wood pulp, generally recyclable. However, the manufacturing process has environmental impacts.

Card:

• Working Properties: Relatively lightweight and easy to work with. Can be strengthened by layering. Susceptible to bending and tearing.
• Sizes: Available in a wide range of sizes, typically from A4 to A0.
• Common Uses: Posters, displays, and lightweight structures.
• Environmental Impact: Made from paper pulp, generally recyclable.

Mount Board:

• Working Properties: Thick, rigid, and strong. Resistant to bending and tearing. Can be cut, scored, and drilled.
• Sizes: Typically available in sizes from A0 to A2.
• Common Uses: Presentation boards, posters, and displays requiring structural support.
• Environmental Impact: Made from paper pulp, generally recyclable.

Recommendation:

Mount board is the most appropriate material for the display stand.

• Reasoning: Mount board provides the necessary strength and rigidity to withstand some level of outdoor exposure and support the display elements. While card could be used, it would be too flimsy and prone to damage. Copier paper is completely unsuitable due to its lack of strength and durability.
• Considerations: The stand could be designed to minimize the amount of mount board used to reduce cost and weight. Consider using a protective coating to improve resistance to moisture and wear.