Guide for eco-materials research
You can start with online, library and catalog research, but it is far more
useful to speak with people at the manufacturer. You may need to start with
sales or customer service, but then move on to technical people or ownership
and, if possible, people who have used the material. In terms of approach, telling
them you are a designer probably works best. They may or may not be receptive
if you tell them you are a student, but if you do, it helps to emphasize that
the materials will be place in the department library which is available to
all students and faculty (i.e. emphasize the marketing aspect).
You should obtain two copies of everything including samples - one for your
research and one for the materials library. Your final analyses will also be
put together in an online resource for the entire class.
Be as thorough as you can in your research. Bear in mind that their material
may not be objective. When you get your samples, do some work with the material
in order to fill in some of the characteristics listed below.
NAME OF MATERIAL:
Brand name:
Generic name (if any):
Technical name (if different):
YEAR INTRODUCED:
NAME OF MANUFACTURER:
ADDRESS OF MANUFACTURER:
PHONE #:
WEBSITE (if available):
TYPE OF MATERIAL (general description):
Grades:
Colors:
Shapes/dimensions:
Textures:
Finishes:
Styles:
Sensory data (looks like, smells like, feels like):
ECO ALTERNATIVE TO (e.g.: textile/fiber, wood, virgin paper, metal, ceramics
- glass/concrete/brick/porcelain, plastics, composite of (blank & blank)
materials):
PROPERTIES AND TESTING DATA:
MATERIAL COMPOSITION AND PERCENTAGE:
MATERIAL SOURCING (local or distant, virgin or recycled - post-consumer? -
sustainable):
FABRICATION PROCESSES (Type/steps of process? How do they address scraps or cutoffs? Handling of industrial waste, e.g. chemical or airborne waste? Recycling program in place
for their general waste? Degree of embodied energy in production?)
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIAL:
Rigid/flexible
Mouldable/castable/vacuum formable
Extruded/pressed
Strength - tension/compression
Cutting, drilling, gluing characteristics:"dusty powder", "chips", "splinters",
edges are rough and have random gaps or are smooth and solid, glues well or
does not glue - only mechanically connectable
PRICE (per linear foot/square foot/cubic foot/pound):
AVAILABILITY (distribution, minimums, lead time, customizing capabilities):
PRODUCTION VOLUME (capable of mass production):
CURRENT APPLICATIONS (products that have been made to date from this material):
PROJECTS WHERE APPLIED (specific installations/applications, if applicable):
SUGGESTED USES BY THE MANUFACTURER - HOW IS IT BEING MARKETED?
THEIR MISSION STATEMENT (re. the environment and their role/impact:
goals & ideals etc. regarding their company - locally, nationally, globally):
THEIR SOCIAL/ECONOMIC PRACTICES (Employee programs - car pooling, daycare,
etc.? Hiring practices? Locally hired employees - helping economy of local community?
Community outreach and programs? Etc.):
FINAL ANALYSIS (how green it is in your opinion):