Engineering Materials MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Here are 1000 Engineering Materials MCQ (Chapterwise).

1. Which of the following is a basic classification of Engineering Materials?
a) Metals
b) Non-Metals
c) Both Metals & Non-Metals
d) None of the mentioned
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The two basic classifications of Engineering are:
i) Metals
ii) Non-Metals

2. Which of the following is not a property of engineering materials?
a) Mechanical properties
b) Chemical properties
c) Polymorphism
d) Electrical properties
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The various material properties are:
i) Mechanical properties
ii) Physical properties
iii) Electrical properties
iv) Chemical properties
v) Thermal properties
vi) Magnetic properties

3. Which of the following is a type of Engineering Materials and is a Metal?
a) Asbestos
b) Ferrous Metals
c) Non-Ferrous Metals
d) Both b & c
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The engineering materials are classified as:
i) Ferrous Metals
ii) Non-ferrous Metals
iii) Plastics
iv) Ceramics and Diamond
v) Composite Materials
vi) Nano-materials

4. Which of the following attributes explain why pure metals are not frequently used in engineering applications?
a) Softness
b) Hardness
c) Brittleness
d) Luster
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Pure metals are soft and ductile, which is not ideal for most engineering applications. Therefore, alloys are used to fulfill the requirements. This explains why pure gold is mixed with impurities to make ornaments.

5. Which of the following is an example of a thermoplastic?
a) Melamine
b) Epoxide
c) Urethane
d) Acetal
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Acetal is an example of engineering thermoplastics. These are the plastics that are typically employed in engineering applications due to high strength, environmental resistance, and physical properties. Other examples of engineering thermoplastics are ethenic, cellulose, polyether etc. Urethane, melamine, and epoxide are examples of engineering thermosetting plastics.
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6. Which of the following class of engineering ceramics generally includes lubricant materials?
a) Metalloids
b) Intermetallics
c) Sulphides
d) Carbides
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) are common sulfide materials used in lubrication. Metalloid elements like germanium and silicon are used as electronic devices. Intermetallics like Nickel aluminide are used in water coatings.

7. Which of the following is not a property of fiberglass?
a) Nonflammable
b) Reinforcement for plastics
c) Thermal insulation
d) Organic
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Fiberglass is known as the glass that has been drawn into fine fibers. They are inorganic in nature which makes them greatly inert. They also exhibit a high strength to weight ratio, non-flammability, and resistance to heat. For engineering applications, they are used for thermal and acoustic insulation, and as reinforcements for plastics.

8. On average, what is the maximum use temperature of engineering ceramics?
a) 2860oC
b) 6815oC
c) 3400oC
d) 2760oC
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Compared to most metals and plastics, ceramics have a very good limit of maximum use temperature. It lies around 2760oC for ceramics, while metals and plastics lay lower at 815oC and 260oC respectively.

9. How is the creep strength of ceramics when compared to other materials?
a) Low
b) High
c) Excellent
d) Zero
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Engineering ceramics have good tensile strength, compressive strength, hardness, and excellent creep resistance. Metals usually have gold creep resistance, but plastics fair poorly.

10. Which of the following factors affect the mechanical properties of a material under applied loads?
a) Grain size
b) Shape of material
c) Content of alloys
d) Imperfection and defects
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Contents of alloys improve or decrease the hardness and strength of materials. Finer grain sizes improve the strength of the material. Imperfection and defects reduce the strength of the material. Shape, however, has little or no effect on the material.

11. On which of the following materials the compressive test is done?
a) Aluminum
b) Thermocole
c) Cast iron
d) Gold
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Since brittle materials are unsuitable for tension test, they are checked using a compressive test. Brittle materials such as cast iron, concrete, mortar, brick, and ceramics are commonly tested in compression.

12. Which of the following term is used to define the temperature at which a substance changes its status from solid to liquid?
a) Melting point
b) Freezing point
c) Boiling point
d) Condensation point
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The temperature at which a substance changes from solid state to liquid is known as the melting point; here the temperatures of solid and liquid are in equilibrium. The shift of liquid state to solid is known as the freezing point. The transition from gaseous state to liquid is known as condensation, while that of liquid to gaseous is known as the boiling point.

13. Which of the following materials are usually used for Electrolysis?
a) Silicon, antimony
b) Silver, tin
c) Zinc, cadmium
d) Aluminum, nickel
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Since atomization results in oxidation of molten metal as it comes in contact with air, it is only used for materials like zinc and cadmium. Electrolysis is a standard electrolytic process which is used for materials like silver and tin. It is advantageous as it produces oxidation resistant powders.

14. Which of the following processes is not an application of thermoelectric effect?
a) Peltier effect
b) Ettingshausen effect
c) Seebeck effect
d) Thomson effect
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson are three distinct effects which make up the thermoelectric effect. Ettingshausen effect, however, is a separate thermoelectric phenomenon like the Nernst effect.
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15. Which of the following materials are to be tested using an F-scale?
a) Bronze, gunmetal, and beryllium copper
b) Thermoplastics
c) Case hardened steels
d) Copper and brass
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The Rockwell hardness F-scale uses a 1/16 inch diameter steel ball indenter with a total indenting load of 60 kg. This is used for testing of copper and brass.

16. Which of these is not a function of alloy steels?
a) Improves ductility
b) Improves machinability
c) Increases strength
d) Reduces cost
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Alloy steels are used to improve properties such as strength, hardness, ductility, grain structure, and machinability, among others. This, however, results in increased costs due to multiple elements involved in the process.

17. How does the Vicker’s hardness test differ from Brinell’s?
a) Type of indenter
b) Materials to be tested
c) Load applied
d) Duration of indentation
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Similar to Brinell’s test, Vicker’s test also employs forcing of the indenter into the surface of metal for about 10-15 seconds. However, instead of a ball indenter, a pyramid-shaped indenter is used. This test is commonly also called the diamond-pyramid hardness test.

18. Which of the following is a characteristic of alumina?
a) Poor wear resistance
b) Good toughness
c) Good tensile strength
d) Excellent hardness
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is regarded as the oldest engineering ceramic. They have excellent hardness and wear resistance. They are stiffer and stronger than steels. Their tensile and toughness properties, however, can be improved by mixing them with zirconium.

19. Which of the following is the primary element used for making stainless steel alloy?
a) Vanadium
b) Indium
c) Chromium
d) Zirconium
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Stainless steels contain iron and a minimum of 10.5% of chromium. This gives it great resistance to corrosion. Therefore, stainless steels are often known as corrosion-resistant steels or chromium-bearing steels.
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20. What disadvantage does silicon carbide have?
a) Thermal conductivity
b) Tensile strength
c) Cost
d) Oxidation resistance
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Silicon carbide has excellent tensile strength, oxidation resistance, and the highest thermal conductivity among the common engineering ceramics. However, it is expensive and only available in limited shapes and sizes. It also has a low strength.

21. Which of the following is not a classification of aluminum alloys?
a) Cast alloys
b) Heat-treatable alloys
c) Wrought alloys
d) Crucible alloys
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Aluminum alloys are categorized into wrought alloys, cast alloys, heat-treatable, and non heat-treatable alloys. An example of each is 2.5% Mg, 0.25% Cr, and rest Al (wrought), 12% Si and rest Al (cast), 0.4-0.9% Mg, 0.3-0.7% Si, and rest Al (heat-treatable), and (0.8-1.5% Mn and rest Al (non heat-treatable).

22. High conductivity copper is used ______
a) To raise softening temperature
b) In electrical engineering
c) To manufacture semiconductor elements
d) To reduce porosity
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: High conductivity copper contains over 99.9% copper, less than 0.005% of both lead and iron, along with low oxygen content. This copper finds its applications in the field of electrical engineering as it is a great conductor of electricity.

23. Which brass alloy is suitable for high-speed machining?
a) High tensile brass
b) Gilding metal
c) Muntz metal
d) Leaded brass
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Leaded brass is used for high-speed machining due to its excellent strength and heat resistance. It contains 59% Cu, 39% Zn, and 2% Pb. It is also known as free cutting brass.

24. Which of the following type of bearing bronze is the weakest?
a) Phosphorus bronze
b) Leaded bronze
c) Sintered bronze
d) Plain tin bronze
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Leaded bronze is a Copper-base bearing alloy containing 75% Cu, 5% Sn, 18% Pb, and 2% Ni. They are less stronger than other bearing bronzes. However, they can sustain higher loads than white metals, at higher speeds.

25. Magnalium is an alloy of magnesium, ________
a) Nickel and Zinc
b) Nickel and Tin
c) Zirconium and Zinc
d) Zinc and Tin
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Magnalium, although considered an aluminum alloy, may contain over 50% magnesium and small amounts of nickel and tin. They are commonly used for engineering applications and pyrotechnics.

26. Which of the following polymer additive is used to remove parts from molds?
a) Reinforcements
b) Lubricants
c) Stabilizers
d) Plasticizers
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Lubricants are used to remove parts from molds, make surfaces slippery, and prevent them from sticking to each other. They are also known as slip agents. Common lubricant additives are silicone, waxes, fatty acid amides, glycerides, petrolatum etc.

27. Which of the following carbides are used for cutting tools?
a) Chromium carbide
b) Silicon carbide
c) Tungsten carbide
d) Vanadium carbide
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Tungsten carbide (WC) belongs to the carbide class of engineering ceramics. It is used for cutting tools. Silicon carbide and boron carbide are used as abrasive, whereas vanadium carbide and tantalum carbide are used as wear-resistant materials. Chromium carbide is used as wear coating.

28. Which of the following is not a type of protective coating?
a) Non-metallic
b) Metallic
c) Inorganic
d) Organic
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: A protective coating is generally defined as a layer of an inert substance which is applied to a material to prevent the chemical and electrochemical attack. These are classified into metallic, organic, and inorganic coatings.

29. Which of the following is an example of soft magnetic material?
a) Strontium
b) Neodymium
c) Permalloy
d) Alnico
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Permalloy is a soft magnet mainly used in electrical and electronic applications. It is composed of roughly 45% nickel. It has a high relative permeability of around 2700.

30. Which of the following is an example of organic insulating material?
a) Asbestos
b) Slag
c) Wood-pulp
d) Charcoal
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Thermal insulation materials are classified as either organic or inorganic. Silk, wool, wood-pulp, and sawdust are a few examples of organic materials. Some common inorganic insulating materials are glass wool, slag, charcoal, and coke powder.

31. Which of the following is a characteristic of asbestos minerals?
a) Heat resistance
b) Reacts with acids
c) Poor strength
d) Poor bonding
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Asbestos minerals are highly preferred in their fibrous form. They possess high strength, surface area, and good bonding characteristics. They are also resistant to heat, acids, and moisture.

32. Which of the following is not a method of fabrication of rubber?
a) Vacuum forming
b) Buffing
c) Calendering
d) Compression molding
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Some of the basic forming and fabrication techniques for rubber include compression molding, calendering, injection and transfer molding, and extrusion among others. Tumbling, trimming, and buffing are techniques of finishing this fabricated rubber.

33. What is the result of full annealing of hypoeutectoid steels?
a) Cementite
b) Coarse pearlite
c) Silicon
d) Bainite
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Hypoeutectoid steels are heated above the A3 line and then cooled in the furnace. Then it removed from the furnace and then cooled at room temperature. This results in coarse pearlite with excess ferrite.

34. Which among the following is not an amorphous material?
a) Lead
b) Glass
c) Rubbers
d) Plastics
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Materials in which the molecule is the basic structural solid and has an irregular structure are known as amorphous solid. Most amorphous materials are polymers such as plastics and rubbers. The most common amorphous material is glass.


Chapterwise Multiple Choice Questions on Engineering Materials

Engineering Materials MCQ - Multiple Choice Questions and Answers

Our 1000+ MCQs focus on all topics of the Engineering Materials subject, covering 100+ topics. This will help you to prepare for exams, contests, online tests, quizzes, viva-voce, interviews, and certifications. You can practice these MCQs chapter by chapter starting from the 1st chapter or you can jump to any chapter of your choice.
  1. Properties of Engineering Materials
  2. Diffusion in Solids & Ferrous Materials
  3. Non Ferrous Materials
  4. Non Metallic Materials
  5. Composite & Ceramic Materials
  6. Refractories & Dielectric Materials
  7. Magnetic & Insulating Materials
  8. Miscellaneous Materials
  9. Glass & Elastomers
  10. Imperfection in Metal Crystals, Fracture, Corrosion and Oxidation
  11. Plastic Deformation and Creep in Crystalline Materials, Elastic, Anelastic and Viscoelastic Behaviour
  12. Mechanical Working Processes & Phase Transformations
  13. Tools of the Metallurgist
  14. Constitution of Alloys and Phase Diagrams
  15. Solid Solutions & Crystallography
  16. Heat Treatment
  17. Metallurgy of Welding, Brazing and Soldering
  18. Testing of Materials, Foundry & Powder Metallurgy
  19. Wear of Metals, Mechanical Properties and Testing

1. MCQ on Properties of Engineering Materials

The section contains multiple choice questions and answers on mechanical properties, thermal properties, electrical and miscellaneous properties of Engineering Materials.

  • Mechanical Properties
  • Thermal Properties
  • Electrical Properties
  • Miscellaneous Properties
  • 2. Engineering Materials MCQ on Diffusion in Solids & Ferrous Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials questions and answers on fick’s law, carbon and alloy steels, stainless and other steels.

  • Fick’s Law, Carbon Steels
  • Alloy Steels
  • Stainless Steels & Other Steels
  • 3. Engineering Materials MCQ on Non Ferrous Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials MCQs on cast irons, aluminium and zinc and its alloys, copper and its alloys, magnesium and its alloys, bearing materials and miscellaneous alloying elements.

  • Cast Irons
  • Aluminium and its Alloys, Zinc and its Alloys
  • Copper and its Alloys – 1
  • Copper and its Alloys – 2
  • Bearing Materials
  • Magnesium and its Alloys
  • Miscellaneous Alloying Elements – 1
  • Miscellaneous Alloying Elements – 2
  • 4. Engineering Materials Multiple Choice Questions on Non Metallic Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials multiple choice questions with answers on polymer additives, polymers, polymerization, ceramics, thermoplastics, thermosetting plastics and particle reinforced composites.

  • Polymers and Polymerization, Polymer Additives
  • Ceramics – 1
  • Ceramics – 2
  • Thermoplastics – 1
  • Thermoplastics – 2
  • Thermosetting Plastics, Particle Reinforced Composites
  • 5. Engineering Materials MCQ on Composite & Ceramic Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials questions with answers on fibre reinforced and other composites, protective coatings, ceramic formation, clay ceramics, abrasives, silicate structures and polymorphism.

  • Fibre Reinforced Composites & Other Composites
  • Protective Coatings
  • Ceramic Formation & Clay Ceramics
  • Abrasives, Silicate Structures and Polymorphism
  • 6. Engineering Materials MCQ on Refractories & Dielectric Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials MCQ Questions on refractories properties, refractory materials, superalloys, polarisation and dielectrics.

  • Properties of Refractories
  • Refractory Materials, Superalloys
  • Polarisation and Dielectrics
  • 7. Engineering Materials Interview Questions on Magnetic & Insulating Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials interview questions and answers on materials like ferro, para, dia, soft and hard magnetic materials, insulation properties, insulating materials and insulating varnishes.

  • Ferro, Para and Dia Magnetic Materials
  • Soft and Hard Magnetic Materials
  • Properties of Insulation – 1
  • Properties of Insulation – 2
  • Insulating Materials – 1
  • Insulating Materials – 2
  • Insulating Varnishes
  • 8. Engineering Materials MCQ on Miscellaneous Materials

    The section contains Engineering Materials questions and answers on nylon, teflon and fiber glass, glass wole, thermocole, petroleum and its products, metallurgical coke and synthetic resins.

  • Nylon
  • Teflon and Fiber Glass
  • Glass Wool and Thermocole
  • Petroleum and its Products
  • Cements, Metallurgical Coke and Synthetic Resins
  • 9. Engineering Materials and Metallurgy MCQ on Glass & Elastomers

    The section contains Engineering Materials and Metallurgy MCQs on glasses types and its properties, glass production and processing, elastomers structure and properties, rubbers types, rubber vulcanization and forming, adhesion process and their types.

  • Types of Glasses and their Properties
  • Glass Production and Processing
  • Structure and Properties of Elastomers
  • Types of Rubbers
  • Vulcanization and Forming of Rubber, Adhesion Process and their Types
  • 10. Metallurgy Multiple Choice Questions on Imperfection in Metal Crystals, Fracture, Corrosion and Oxidation

    The section contains Metallurgy multiple choice questions and answers on crystal defects, corrosion and its types, oxidation and oxidation control, fracture types, fracture toughness and protection against fracture.

  • Crystal Defects
  • Types of Corrosion and Oxidation
  • Corrosion and Oxidation Control
  • Types of Fracture
  • Fracture Toughness, Protection against Fracture
  • 11. MCQ on Plastic Deformation and Creep in Crystalline Materials, Elastic, Anelastic and Viscoelastic Behaviour

    The section contains Engineering Materials and Metallurgy questions and answers on plastic deformation, creep mechanisms and creep resistant materials, elasticity, relaxation processes and spring dashpot models.

  • Plastic Deformation
  • Mechanisms of Creep & Creep Resistant Materials
  • Elasticity, Relaxation Processes and Spring Dashpot Models
  • 12. Engineering Materials MCQ on Mechanical Working Processes & Phase Transformations

    The section contains Engineering Materials MCQs on The section contains cryogenics, metals working, metals defects, machining and solidification, nucleation, segregation, recovery, recrystallisation and grain growth.

  • Cryogenics, Hot and Cold Working of Metals
  • Defects and Machining of Metals, Solidification of Metals
  • Nucleation, Growth and Segregation, Recovery, Recrystallisation and Grain Growth
  • 13. MCQ on Tools of the Metallurgist

    The section contains Metallurgy multiple choice questions and answers on thermometry, thermometers types, metallography, pyrometry and pyrometers types.

  • Thermometry and the Types of Thermometers
  • Pyrometry and the Types of Pyrometers
  • Metallography
  • 14. Engineering Materials and Metallurgy MCQ on Constitution of Alloys and Phase Diagrams

    The section contains Engineering Materials and Metallurgy questions and answers on phases and phase diagrams, iron-carbon system and its alloys, iron carbide system, steel and cast iron transformation.

  • Phases and Phase Diagrams
  • Iron-Carbon System and their Alloys
  • Iron and Iron Carbide System
  • Transformation of Steel and Cast Iron
  • 15. Engineering Materials MCQ on Solid Solutions & Crystallography

    The section contains Engineering Materials MCQs on hume rothery’s rules, solid solutions and solids types, diffraction, solids bonding, crystal structures and lattices.

  • Hume Rothery’s Rules, Types of Solid Solutions
  • Types of Solids, Crystal Structures and Lattices
  • Diffraction
  • Bonding in Solids
  • 16. Engineering Materials and Metallurgy MCQ on Heat Treatment

    The section contains Engineering Materials and Metallurgy multiple choice questions and answers on annealing, normalising and quenching, transformation diagrams, hardening and hardenability, tempering, interrupted quenching, carburising, nitriding, selective hardening, cyaniding and carbonitriding.

  • Annealing – 1
  • Annealing – 2
  • Normalising & Quenching
  • Transformation Diagrams
  • Hardening and Hardenability
  • Tempering
  • Interrupted Quenching
  • Carburising
  • Nitriding, Cyaniding and Carbonitriding – 1
  • Nitriding, Cyaniding and Carbonitriding – 2
  • Selective Hardening
  • 17. MCQ on Metallurgy of Welding, Brazing and Soldering

    The section contains Metallurgy questions and answers on welding, soldering and brazing.

  • Welding
  • Soldering and Brazing
  • 18. MCQ on Testing of Materials, Foundry & Powder Metallurgy

    The section contains Metallurgy MCQs on pattern and mold making, casting processes, sintering, compacting, pig iron and its manufacturing, metal composition testing and materials inspection.

  • Pattern Making
  • Mold Making
  • Casting Processes
  • Sintering and Compacting, Pig Iron and its Manufacture
  • Metal Composition Testing, Inspection of Materials
  • 19. Engineering Materials and Metallurgy MCQ on Wear of Metals, Mechanical Properties and Testing

    The section contains Engineering Materials and Metallurgy multiple choice questions on metals impact tests, fatigue tests, metals hardness and mechanical tests, protection against wear, age hardening, metal spraying and hard facing.

  • Impact Tests on Metals, Fatigue Tests
  • Hardness Tests on Metals
  • Mechanical Tests on Metals, Protection Against Wear
  • Metal Spraying and Hard Facing, Age Hardening
  • If you would like to learn "Engineering Materials and Metallurgy" thoroughly, you should attempt to work on the complete set of 1000+ MCQs - multiple choice questions and answers mentioned above. It will immensely help anyone trying to crack an exam or an interview.

    Wish you the best in your endeavor to learn and master Engineering Materials and Metallurgy!

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