E-Resources: Materials and Products Collection

• Materio
  Allows you to search for materials by properties. Can also search by keyword. Materio can only be accessed on the computer in the Materials and Products Area - ask Library staff to log you on to the database
  
  
• Material Explorer
  Allows you to search for materials by properties. Can also search by keyword. Registration required – registering is free.
  
  
• MTRL Materials Database
  Information and datasheets on a wide range of materials - ceramics, glass, coatings and finishes, composites, metals, plastics, rubber, and natural materials. A photograph of each material is included, plus brief information on ecological considerations, possible end-uses and applications, and suppliers' information.
  
  
• Stylepark
  Enables you to search for materials by material type, application, appearance, surface finish, and properties.
  
  
• Transmaterial
  Weblog by architect Blaine Brownell. Each week a new material, product or process is highlighted with links to manufacturers’ websites and contact details. An archive of the previous 6 months product features is also available.

• ABC Online
  European directory of manufacturers and suppliers.
  
  
• AZoM (The A-Z of Materials)
  Includes a database of suppliers that you can use to track down the product or material you’re interested in.
  
  
• Europages
  European directory of manufacturers and suppliers.
  
  
• Kellysearch
  Use this to find out which companies produce the material or product you’re interested in. Also useful for checking companies’ contact details.
  
  
• Kompass
  Use this to find out which companies produce particular products or materials. Can also search by trade name. NB: some content is available only to subscribers.

• 4D Modelshop
  Has a shop in Leman Street, a 10 minute walk from Central House and Commercial Rd. Tools, finishes, adhesives and a wide range of materials: card, mesh, paper, plastic, rubber, textiles, wood and much more. Student discount available.
  
  
• Inventables
  Sells innovative and smart materials, including photochromic plastic, rubber glass, impact softening gel, temperature sensitive fabric, glow-in-the-dark glass and many more.
  
  
• Modular
  Model-making supplier selling a huge range of materials available in small quantities.
  
  
• Mindsets
  Materials and smart materials, mechanical and electronic components. Can purchase small quantities.
  
  
• Theplasticshop.co.uk
  The UK's leading online supplier of an enormous range of plastic materials available in rod, sheet, plate and tube. Will sell small quantities.

• Matweb
  Searchable database of over 56000 material data sheets including plastics, polymers, metals, ceramics and composites.

A-I - J-S - T-Z

Aluminium – see Metals

Blinds

• British Blind and Shutter Association
  Includes a directory searchable by product type, company name and trade name.

Building Materials

• Barbour Product Search
  Database of products and suppliers, including images, case studies, technical data and more.

• RIBA Product Selector
  Directory of building product information including manufacturers’ catalogues and links to company websites.

Coatings

• British Coatings Federation Ltd.
  Trade association for the decorative, industrial and powder coatings, printing inks and wall coverings industries. Includes a product directory with links to manufacturers' websites.

Digital printing: laminates

• Abet Laminati

Digital printing: textiles

• Camira
  
  
• Fabpad
  
  
• HTS Print and Design
  
  
• RA Smart

Digital printing: tiles

• Johnsons

Digital printing: wall coverings

• Altro
  
  
• Muraspec
  
  
• Tektura

Fabrics – see Textiles

Furniture

• British Contract Furnishing Association
  Includes a suppliers’ directory covering bathroom fittings, fabrics, flooring, lighting, soft furnishings, wallpaper and more.

• Furniture Industry Research Association
  Includes a suppliers directory and technical information related to the industry.

Glass

• British Glass Website
  Information about glass production, processing and applications.

Green materials

• BRE Green Guide to Specification

• Green Book Live
  Online database to help specifiers identify environmentally friendly products.

• GreenSpec
  Directory of sustainable construction materials. Includes a useful section called Greenwash which examines the sometimes spurious claims made by manufacturers about 'green' products. To read Greenwash, visit the Greenspec home page and scroll down the screen.

• Rematerialise
  Searchable database of eco-smart materials from the Rematerialise project based at Kingston University.

• Trading Standards
  Advice for consumers on environmental claims by manufacturers.

• Wolseley Sustainable Building Center
  Uk builders' merchant supplying a range of sustainable building products.

• WRAP: The waste resource action programme website
  Details of current and past projects to reduce waste and re-use waste materials including a range of downloadable publications on specific market sectors and materials.

Interior design

• Architonic
  Details of thousands of products and materials for architecture and interior design.
  
  
• Design Centre Chelsea Harbour
  The world's premier interior design centre with a wide range of showrooms showcasing carpets, fabrics, furniture, lighting, tiles and wall coverings.

Jewellery

• The PMC Guild UK
  Information about Precious Metal Clay plus details of suppliers.

• Who’s Who in Gold and Silver
  Online directory from The Goldsmith's Company including a directory of designers, list of galleries and retailers, plus links to other useful websites.

Leather

• All About Leather
  Online resource from the Leather Technology Centre. Includes information about types of leather, processes and applications, and history.

Lighting

• Lighting Industry Federation
  Database of products, manufacturers and brand names.

Metals

• Aluminium Federation
  Information about the industry including fact sheets on aluminium processing, finishing and recycling.

• British Stainless Steel Association
  Technical information on steel including applications, standards and specifications.

• Zinc Information Centre
  Facts about zinc and its applications.

Plastics

• BioPolymer net
  Gateway to resources and information about biopolymers.

• British Plastics Federation
  Includes Plastipedia, an online encyclopedia about plastics.

• Theplasticshop.co.uk
  The UK's leading online supplier of an enormous range of plastic materials available in rod, sheet, plate and tube. Will sell small quantities.

Steel – see Metals

Textiles

• Design Centre Chelsea Harbour
  The world's premier interior design centre with a wide range of showrooms showcasing carpets, fabrics, furniture, lighting, tiles and wall coverings.

• Fabric Link
  Search by trade name or company name to retrieve information on textiles’ characteristics and end uses.

• MUTA (The Performance Textiles Association)
  Searchable directory of members by name, location and product type with links to manufacturers’ websites.

• Textile Institute
  List of corporate members, events diary, plus a links section covering textiles, clothing and footwear.

• Technical Textiles Net
  News and features about advanced and high performance textiles and nano-technology. Full text articles are available via subscription only.

• WGSN
  Includes a section on materials: textile trends, developments, innovation, new technology and sustainability. Special username and password required - please ask Library Staff.

Timber

• European Confederation of Woodworking Industries
  Includes material on the European forest-based sector, facts and figures, plus information on timber products and sustainability.

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
  International organisation promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Includes a product search tool.

• Timber Trade Federation
  Includes technical information, a product and supplier directory.

• Wood For Good
  Campaign to promote the use of timber sponsored by the Forestry Commission, The Nordic Timber Council, ConFor and the Forest Service.

• Wood Panel Industries Federation
  Guidelines for selecting wood-based panel products, specifications and end use information.

Zinc – see Metals