Practice Test Geeks(API 510) API 510 Inspector Certification Practice Test
← All API 510 Flashcard Decks

Material Evaluation Flashcards

7 cards from real API 510 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Material Evaluation flashcards as text

  1. An austenitic stainless steel vessel used in a chloride-containing service environment develops cracking that follows grain boundaries. What is the most likely damage mechanism?

    Answer: Intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC)

    Intergranular SCC in austenitic stainless steels occurs when sensitization depletes chromium at grain boundaries, and chloride stress corrosion follows these weakened zones.

  2. During material evaluation, an inspector finds hardness readings of 250 HB on a weld heat-affected zone in wet H2S service. What is the significance of this finding?

    Answer: Concerning; hardness exceeds 248 HB limit per NACE MR0103/ISO 15156

    NACE MR0103/ISO 15156 limits hardness to 248 HB (22 HRC) for carbon and low-alloy steels in wet H2S service to prevent sulfide stress cracking.

  3. A material evaluation reveals a carbon steel vessel component has experienced graphitization. Which condition is most likely responsible?

    Answer: Extended service at temperatures between 650°F and 875°F (343-468°C)

    Graphitization occurs in carbon steels typically between 650-875°F over extended periods, where iron carbide decomposes to form graphite nodules, reducing toughness.

  4. When evaluating duplex stainless steel for fitness-for-service, which microstructural condition most severely degrades toughness and must be confirmed absent?

    Answer: Sigma phase formation from extended exposure between 600-1700°F

    Sigma phase forms in duplex stainless steels exposed to 600-1700°F and causes severe embrittlement by consuming the ferrite phase.

  5. An inspector is evaluating a vessel that previously contained a caustic solution. Cracking is found in welds and heat-affected zones. What is the required assessment approach per API 579-1/ASME FFS-1?

    Answer: Environment-assisted cracking assessment per Part 9 of API 579

    Caustic SCC is an environment-assisted cracking mechanism evaluated under Part 9 of API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 for stress corrosion cracking fitness-for-service.

  6. A pressure vessel made of SA-516 Grade 70 carbon steel has been in service for 30 years at low temperature. An inspector is concerned about brittle fracture. Which factor is NOT a primary driver of brittle fracture susceptibility?

    Answer: The vessel's original PWHT status

    While PWHT reduces residual stresses, brittle fracture susceptibility is primarily driven by temperature vs. DBTT, stress level, and flaw geometry rather than PWHT history alone.

  7. During a material traceability audit, an inspector discovers that weld filler metal certifications are missing for a repair performed five years ago. According to API 510, what is the appropriate course of action?

    Answer: Require PMI testing of the weld deposit to verify composition

    When weld filler metal certifications are unavailable, PMI testing of the actual weld deposit is the appropriate method to verify compositional compliance.