Iron and Steel Alloys: Properties, Processing, and Applications

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary alloying element added to iron to create steel and give it its distinctive properties?

Accepted Answer

Carbon

Answer

Chromium

Answer

Manganese

Answer

Nickel

Question 2

Within the typical range of carbon content for mild steel, what percentage range is considered optimal?

Accepted Answer

0.15% - 0.25%

Answer

Less than 0.1%

Answer

0.8% - 1.2%

Answer

0.3% - 0.6%

Question 3

Which heat treatment process involves heating and cooling steel in a controlled manner to achieve desired properties?

Accepted Answer

Annealing

Answer

Carburizing

Answer

Hardening

Answer

Tempering

Question 4

What is the name of the diagram that illustrates the phase transformations of steel under varying conditions of temperature and carbon content?

Accepted Answer

Iron-Carbon Phase Diagram

Answer

Binary Phase Diagram

Answer

TTT Diagram

Answer

Equilibrium Phase Diagram

Question 5

Which of the following microstructures is primarily responsible for the exceptional hardness and wear resistance of tool steels?

Accepted Answer

Martensite

Answer

Ferrite

Answer

Bainite

Answer

Austenite

Question 6

Approximately how many metric tons of steel are produced globally each year?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 2 billion

Answer

Approximately 500 million

Answer

Approximately 100 million

Answer

Approximately 1 billion

Question 7

Which of the following is a major application of cast iron due to its high compressive strength and low cost?

Accepted Answer

Automotive engine blocks

Answer

Aerospace components

Answer

Precision instruments

Answer

High-rise building structures

Question 8

At approximately what temperature in degrees Celsius does pure iron melt?

Accepted Answer

1538°C

Answer

1000°C

Answer

2000°C

Answer

2500°C

Question 9

Which of the following is a key benefit of using stainless steel, particularly in applications involving exposure to corrosive environments?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced corrosion resistance

Answer

Low thermal expansion

Answer

High electrical conductivity

Answer

Exceptional ductility

Question 10

What is the initial process in steelmaking where molten iron is transformed into steel by removing impurities?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen Refining

Answer

Rolling

Answer

Casting

Answer

Heat Treatment

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of iron that makes it suitable for use in steel alloys?

Accepted Answer

High electrical conductivity

Answer

Sufficient ductility

Answer

High tensile strength

Answer

Relatively low melting point

Question 12

The process of reducing iron ore to obtain molten iron is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Smelting

Answer

Refining

Answer

Forging

Answer

Quenching

Question 13

Which element is added as the primary alloying element in steel?

Accepted Answer

Carbon

Answer

Chromium

Answer

Silicon

Answer

Manganese

Question 14

Generally, increasing the carbon content in steel results in:

Accepted Answer

Increased strength and hardness

Answer

Improved corrosion resistance

Answer

Lowered melting point

Answer

Reduced ductility and toughness

Question 15

Which heat treatment process involves rapidly heating steel to a high temperature and then rapidly cooling it?

Accepted Answer

Quenching

Answer

Annealing

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Normalizing

Question 16

Which type of steel exhibits high resistance to corrosion?

Accepted Answer

Stainless steel

Answer

High-strength low-alloy steel

Answer

Low-carbon steel

Answer

Tool steel

Question 17

The process of introducing controlled amounts of gases into molten steel to remove impurities is called:

Accepted Answer

Degassing

Answer

Forging

Answer

Refining

Answer

Smelting

Question 18

Which of the following is a commonly used method for shaping steel?

Accepted Answer

Rolling

Answer

Annealing

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Quenching

Question 19

High-temperature applications typically require steel alloys with:

Accepted Answer

High content of chromium and nickel

Answer

Low content of silicon and copper

Answer

High amounts of sulfur and phosphorus

Answer

Low amounts of carbon and manganese

Question 20

What is the primary function of adding manganese to steel?

Accepted Answer

To enhance strength and toughness

Answer

To promote corrosion resistance

Answer

To improve machinability

Answer

To increase electrical conductivity

Question 21

Which of the following elements is NOT a typical alloying element in steel, used to enhance its properties?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium

Answer

Manganese

Answer

Chromium

Answer

Carbon

Question 22

The process of removing impurities and dissolved gases from molten iron is known as:

Accepted Answer

Refining

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Smelting

Answer

Annealing

Question 23

The primary reason for adding carbon to iron to create steel is to:

Accepted Answer

Increase strength and hardness

Answer

Improve machinability

Answer

Lower the melting point

Answer

Enhance ductility

Question 24

Which type of steel is renowned for its high resistance to corrosion?

Accepted Answer

Stainless Steel

Answer

Tool Steel

Answer

High-Carbon Steel

Answer

Mild Steel

Question 25

The process involving heating steel to a high temperature followed by rapid cooling is called:

Accepted Answer

Quenching

Answer

Annealing

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Normalizing

Question 26

A eutectoid steel is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A carbon content of 0.8%

Answer

Easy machinability

Answer

High ductility

Answer

A high manganese content

Question 27

Which application would most likely utilize high-carbon steel due to its properties?

Accepted Answer

Cutting tools

Answer

Wire mesh

Answer

Car body panels

Answer

Structural beams

Question 28

The primary advantage of using a rolling process to shape steel is:

Accepted Answer

Improved strength and ductility

Answer

Enhanced surface finish

Answer

Greater design flexibility

Answer

Reduced production costs

Question 29

A common cause of steel corrosion is:

Accepted Answer

Exposure to moisture

Answer

Presence of manganese

Answer

Excessive heat treatment

Answer

High carbon content

Question 30

A steel alloy specifically designed for ease of welding is known as:

Accepted Answer

Weldable Steel

Answer

Tool Steel

Answer

Stainless Steel

Answer

High-Strength Steel

Question 31

Which of the following elements is NOT typically used as an alloying element in steel?

Accepted Answer

Aluminum

Answer

Nickel

Answer

Chromium

Answer

Manganese

Question 32

Steel with a higher carbon content generally has:

Accepted Answer

Increased strength and hardness

Answer

Reduced ductility and toughness

Answer

Lower melting point

Answer

Improved machinability

Question 33

Which heat treatment process involves rapid cooling to introduce a martensitic microstructure, thereby increasing the hardness and strength of steel?

Accepted Answer

Quenching

Answer

Annealing

Answer

Normalizing

Answer

Tempering

Question 34

The process of removing impurities from molten iron by blowing in controlled amounts of oxygen is called:

Accepted Answer

Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) process

Answer

Open-hearth furnace

Answer

Electric arc furnace (EAF)

Answer

Blast furnace

Question 35

Compared to carbon steel, stainless steel is primarily known for its:

Accepted Answer

Excellent resistance to corrosion

Answer

Lower production cost

Answer

Improved machinability

Answer

Superior strength at high temperatures

Question 36

A stainless steel alloy containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel is typically classified as:

Accepted Answer

Austenitic stainless steel

Answer

Ferritic stainless steel

Answer

Martensitic stainless steel

Answer

Duplex stainless steel

Question 37

The phenomenon where steel loses its strength and ductility at high temperatures is known as:

Accepted Answer

Creep

Answer

Fatigue

Answer

Stress corrosion cracking

Answer

Brittle fracture

Question 38

Which application would be most suitable for a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio?

Accepted Answer

Structural components in bridges

Answer

Surgical instruments

Answer

Kitchen utensils

Answer

Jewelry

Question 39

The process of removing carbon from the surface of steel to reduce its hardness is called:

Accepted Answer

Decarburization

Answer

Nitriding

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Carburization

Question 40

A steel alloy with a microstructure consisting of both ferritic and austenitic phases is known as:

Accepted Answer

Duplex stainless steel

Answer

Ferritic stainless steel

Answer

Martensitic stainless steel

Answer

Precipitation-hardened stainless steel

Question 41

Which of the following heat treatments is used to increase the hardness and strength of steel?

Accepted Answer

Quenching

Answer

Normalizing

Answer

Tempering

Answer

Annealing

Question 42

What is the primary alloying element in stainless steel that provides corrosion resistance?

Accepted Answer

Chromium

Answer

Carbon

Answer

Manganese

Answer

Nickel

Question 43

Which phase transformation in steel is responsible for the formation of martensite?

Accepted Answer

Diffusionless transformation

Answer

Monotectic transformation

Answer

Peritectic transformation

Answer

Eutectoid transformation

Question 44

A steel component with high toughness is desired. Which of the following combinations of properties would best achieve this?

Accepted Answer

High strength and high ductility

Answer

Low strength and high ductility

Answer

High strength and low ductility

Answer

Low strength and low ductility

Question 45

What is the purpose of adding carbon to iron to create steel?

Accepted Answer

To increase the hardness and strength

Answer

To improve corrosion resistance

Answer

To reduce melting point

Answer

To increase ductility

Question 46

Which manufacturing process involves shaping a heated piece of steel by applying compressive forces?

Accepted Answer

Forging

Answer

Machining

Answer

Casting

Answer

Welding

Question 47

What is the name of the heat treatment process used to relieve internal stresses in steel after welding or cold working?

Accepted Answer

Stress relieving

Answer

Normalizing

Answer

Hardening

Answer

Annealing

Question 48

Which type of steel is commonly used for structural applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios, such as bridges and skyscrapers?

Accepted Answer

High-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA)

Answer

Tool steel

Answer

Cast iron

Answer

Stainless steel

Question 49

What is the primary function of cementite (Fe3C) in steel?

Accepted Answer

Increase hardness and wear resistance

Answer

Enhance corrosion resistance

Answer

Improve ductility and toughness

Answer

Reduce the melting point

Question 50

Which of the following is a non-destructive testing method commonly used to detect internal flaws in steel components?

Accepted Answer

Ultrasonic testing

Answer

Tensile testing

Answer

Hardness testing

Answer

Impact testing