EPRI EF Nuclear Power Plant Materials Certification Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which of the following is an example of a non-ferrous alloy?
• What is the relation between coolant temperature, chemistry, and corrosion rate?
• Hot work occurs above recrystallization temp; strain hardening does not occur.
• Which term describes the ability to deform plastically under tensile load without fracturing?
• How many layers are in the hexagonal close-packed unit cell?
• Which factor is not typically a primary driver for materials in the secondary coolant loop?
• What is the role of hydrogen water chemistry (HWC) in nuclear plants?
• Degradation of materials can lead to which outcome in a nuclear facility?
• Compared with Alloy 600, Alloy 690 in steam generator tubing provides is primarily due to:
• Toughness is best defined as which of the following?
• Which statement correctly describes the role of manganese in steel?
• Which statement about heat treatment is true?
• Which statement best captures why zirconium-based alloys are chosen for cladding in LWRs?
• Which statement about grain boundaries is true?
• Which non-ferrous alloy family is widely used in nuclear reactors for cladding due to low neutron absorption?
• Which ASME code section specifically governs welding and brazing qualifications?
• What materials are typically used for reactor pressure vessel (RPV) internals?
• Grain size and cooling rate: faster cooling -> smaller grain sizes; harder; increasing hardness reduces toughness and ductility.
• Ultimate tensile strength is observed as which description?
• Which statement best describes ultimate tensile strength (UTS) on a stress-strain curve?
• Magnetic Particle Testing is primarily used to reveal which flaw type?
• Stress is:
• Pores are:
• Which property measures resistance to indentation or scratching?
• Which environmental condition is associated with increased IASCC susceptibility?
• Properties are classified into two main groups.
• Machinability describes a metal's response to machining in terms of chip removal and surface finish.
• What is the main purpose of using protective coatings on some reactor components?
• Fatigue stress results from which type of loading?
• How does irradiation affect diffusion and precipitation in metals used in nuclear reactors?
• Which properties are common to body-centered cubic (BCC) metals?
• Nominal stress is quoted with respect to the strength of a material and is qualified by the type of stress, such as tensile strength, compressive, or shear strength.
• Ferrous metals include iron and alloys with at least what percentage iron?
• What are the key properties to consider when selecting materials for high-temperature service in a nuclear plant?
• Yield Stress is best described as
• Which element is added to iron to produce steel?
• In the strain formula e = d/L, what does d represent?
• Which term describes the tendency of a material to fracture with little plastic deformation?
• Tempering is defined as reheating quenched steel to a suitable temperature for an appropriate period of time and then cooling back to room temperature.
• Charpy/DBTT measurements help determine what aspect of material aging?
• Residual stresses are primarily caused by which processes?
• What is post-irradiation examination (PIE) and its purpose?
• Quenching is the rapid cooling of steel by immersion in water or brine. What is the typical consequence if quenching is used without tempering?
• Malleability is defined as:
• Why are stainless steels and nickel-based alloys used in certain regions of a PWR primary system?
• Which operating environment can alter material properties, particularly in nuclear applications?
• Which of the following is a common benefit provided by alloying agents?
• Why are alloys such as Alloy 690 used for steam generator tubing?
• Which material class is most susceptible to IASCC once irradiated in core environments?
• Which defect occurs when two portions of metal do not unite during casting?
• Which alloying element is described as increasing hardenability and creep resistance?
• Which materials are commonly used for steam generator tubing and what degradation concern is most prominent?
• On a stress-strain diagram, the maximum stress allowed before the part fails is the __________.
• Water hammer is defined as which phenomenon?
• Which elements are commonly associated with body-centered cubic metals?
• What is an Aging Management Program (AMP) and its purpose?
• What is the role of boron in PWR chemistry, and how is boric acid managed?
• Smaller grain size tends to increase which properties?
• Normalizing is the same as annealing except steel is air-cooled instead of being cooled in a furnace.
• What defect appears in sheets or strips due to segregation in layers?
• Residual stresses are primarily caused by which processes?
• Which statement best describes general (uniform) corrosion?
• Which property describes the hardenability of a metal alloy, its ability to be hardened by heat treatment?
• Irradiation hardening reduces which property in stainless steels?
• Plastic deformation is:
• Yield stress vs proportional limit distinction
• PWSCC tends to occur in which components of the reactor primary circuit?
• Metals are generally good conductors of which properties?
• Which combination of NDE methods is commonly used to inspect welds?
• What is activation and why is it a consideration for material selection and disposal?
• Compressive Stress description
• pH is:To
• Which metal is liquid at room temperature?
• LOCA stands for which of the following?
• In the elastic range, Hooke's Law states that strain is proportional to stress.
• What is Environmental Stress Cracking (ESCC) testing used for?
• What is creep, and in which reactor components is it a design consideration?
• What determines the properties of a metal in terms of crystal structure?
• Which regulation is described by ASME BPVC Section III?
• Which aging concern is associated with materials used in spent fuel pool racks?
• Shear Stress description
• Which statement about carbon in steel is correct?
• Charpy impact testing is used to monitor embrittlement trends by assessing what property?
• What is Primary Water Stress Corrosion Cracking (PWSCC) and where is it most often observed in LWRs?
• Aging management programs address degradation mechanisms such as which of the following?
• What is a common irradiation-induced change that reduces fracture toughness in RPV steels?
• Cold work is work hardening; decreases ductility.
• Which factor increases IASCC susceptibility in stainless steels?
• Which system serves as a barrier to the release of radioactive materials, making it one of the most important systems in the nuclear plant for safety?
• What is irradiation hardening's effect on stainless steels?
• Which ASME code sections govern nuclear materials and welding qualifications?
• What term describes the opposite of ductility?
• SCC stands for which process?
• Welding joins materials by heating to suitable temperature with or without filler metal; molten weld pool forms a heterogeneous structure from base metals and filler metal.
• Which reactor component is most at risk from creep-related deformation due to high temperature service?
• Which describes the 'Failure' definition?
• Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) is the area adjacent to weld where heat alters grain structure; the HAZ does not melt.
• In UTS calculation, which area is used in the denominator?
• Which statement best describes hydrogen embrittlement and materials at risk?
• Tensile Stress description
• Which statement correctly distinguishes normalizing from annealing?
• What is a dissimilar metal weld (DMW) and what degradation risk is associated with it in LWRs?
• Stress relieving reduces internal residual stresses in a metal by heating to a suitable temperature and holding for a specified time.
• The three types of stress are:
• Differentiate IASCC from IGSCC.
• Which expression correctly defines ultimate tensile strength (UTS) in terms of load and cross-section area?
• Which stress category occurs when a mass of flowing fluid induces a dynamic pressure on a conduit wall? Water hammer is an example.
• What entities compose the Nuclear Strategic Issues Advisory Committee (NSIAC)?
• What is the common nickname for Molybdenum?
• What does BWR stand for?
• UTS is defined as
• How would you define an alloy?
• What is the primary purpose of heat treating a metal?
• In chemical reactions, what does oxidation mean for metals?
• Which of the following is a typical attribute of metals?
• Which statement best describes the Modulus of Elasticity?
• Tempering is the reheating of quenched steel to a suitable temperature for an appropriate period of time and cooling back to room temperature.
• Which term defines the resistance to deformation under an applied load?
• What topics are covered by the NEI 03-08 guideline?
• Shielding considerations influence material handling by demanding remote handling and regulatory controls to minimize activation; this affects what?
• Which stress category arises from cyclic application of a stress, including thermal cycling?
• Which statement describes leak-before-break and its importance for nuclear piping integrity?
• Flow-accelerated corrosion is primarily associated with which aging effect?
• During elastic strain, bonds are stretched but not broken. When the applied stresses are removed, the material ______.
• Which alloy families are typically used for primary system piping and components in PWRs, and why?
• In material testing, what does DBTT stand for?
• Which term defines the property that enables a material to resist plastic deformation, penetration, indentation, and scratching?
• Young's Modulus is defined as which of the following?
• Loss of core cooling equals which consequence?
• What is CRUD and why is it significant for reactor materials?
• Annealing is performed to improve machinability and make steel more workable.
• What is the standard formula for stress in a material under load?
• Compared to BCC metals, FCC metals generally have which properties?
• What is the purpose of Charpy impact testing in evaluating reactor materials?
• What is a common strategy to prevent galling of bolts in nuclear assemblies?
• What does PWR stand for?
• Water hammer depends on the fluid’s compressibility particularly when there are sudden changes in which parameter?
• The heat affected zone (HAZ) is characterized by which statement?
• Which property is defined as the ability to conduct heat or electric current?
• Strain is:
• The kinetic energy of moving water is proportional to which expression?
• Shrinkage cavity is:
• Which statement best describes Molybdenum's role in steel?
• What is the purpose of heat-treatment documentation in material certification?
• Which standard test measures fracture toughness K_IC for nuclear materials?
• Which term describes the regular, repeating arrangement of atoms in a solid?
• Which statement best describes metals?
• Why is degradation of materials in a nuclear plant a principal concern?
• Creep is the permanent deformation that increases with time under constant load.
• What is the grain boundary?
• Which term describes damage caused over time to components caused by physical processes, leading to failure?
• Which alloy is nickel-based?
• Lattice is best described as:
• Magnetic Particle Testing is used to detect which type of flaw in welds on ferromagnetic materials?
• Pressure stresses are induced in vessels containing pressurized materials. What is a prime example?
• Which statement best describes the effect of Nickel in steel?
• What is the difference between standard material data and surveillance data?
• Which statement best defines machinability?
• How does thermal aging affect carbon steel components operated at elevated temperatures?
• Which statement best describes why zirconium-based alloys are used for fuel cladding in LWRs?
• What is the purpose of coatings or liners in protecting reactor components from flow-assisted corrosion?
• Why is post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) used on nuclear components?
• Physical properties are subdivided into which categories?
• Beyond the elastic limit, what occurs in the material?
• Structural stresses are stresses produced in structural members due to what?
• Which term describes the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution?
• What does the leak-before-break concept ensure in piping integrity assessments?
• Sensitization in stainless steels increases susceptibility to what type of corrosion?
• Chromium increases a material's resistance to corrosion and oxidation, as well as strength under high temperatures, hardenability, and wear resistance.
• How does fracture mechanics support piping integrity assessment?
• Why are dissimilar metal welds a focus for PWSCC mitigation?
• The Reactor Coolant System acts as a barrier to radioactive release. Which option best describes its safety role?
• Which data source informs long-term embrittlement trends in the reactor pressure vessel (RPV)?
• In the strain formula e = d/L, what does e represent?
• Stress corrosion cracking occurs under which combination of conditions?
• Which statement best defines a grain in metals?
• Which nondestructive examination methods are routinely used to inspect welds in a nuclear plant?
• Which term describes the ability of a material to return to its original shape after stress is removed?
• Which term describes internal voids in a material?
• In Hooke's Law δ = PL/AE, what does the symbol E represent?
• Why is irradiation surveillance data important for life management?
• Which element is described as adding strength and toughness to steel and producing an elastic alloy that returns to its original shape after experiencing vibration?
• Which term indicates the ability of a metal alloy to be hardened by heat treatment, depending on carbon content, grain size, and cooling rate?
• Strength is:
• Which stress is caused by a flowing fluid exerting dynamic pressure on a conduit wall?
• CRUD deposits on heat transfer surfaces can affect which aspects of reactor operation?
• For steam generator tubing, which alloy family is most commonly used and what is the primary corrosion concern?
• Why is wall-thickness monitoring important in aging management of piping?
• List three common corrosion mechanisms affecting reactor materials.
• Which element enhances corrosion resistance in stainless steel?
• Which term describes a material's capacity to resist plastic deformation, penetration, indentation, and scratching?
• Name two main irradiation effects on stainless steels used in reactor cores.
• What materials are commonly used for spent fuel pool racks and what aging concerns exist?
• How does sensitization occur in austenitic stainless steels, and what corrosion risk does it pose?
• Copper aids in control of corrosion and erosion when present with other alloying elements.
• Which statement best differentiates PWRs and BWRs in terms of the coolant loop?
• What is the primary function of fuel cladding in a light-water reactor?
• HCP structures are generally:
• Which category describes stresses produced in structural members due to the weights they support?
• What is one consequence of irradiation-enhanced diffusion and precipitation in reactor metals?
• Proportionality limit/ elastic limit: Which statement is correct?
• What is the term for the ability of a material to deform easily under tensile force or to sustain plastic deformation before rupture?
• Dissimilar metal welds in light water reactors are prone to which degradation risks?
• Which of the following is a HCP metal?
• Which term denotes a void left in cast metals due to solidification shrinkage?
• Which metal is an example of a face-centered cubic (FCC) metal?
• Which term means releases energy, such as heat?
• Thermal stresses exist when temperature gradients in a material produce expansions or contractions.
• Shielding influences material handling of activated components by requiring which combination of measures?