250+ TOP MCQs on Materials Selection – Properties of Flight Vehicle Materials and Answers

Aerospace Materials and Processes Multiple Choice Questions on “Materials Selection – Properties of Flight Vehicle Materials”.

1. Materials with ______________ are typically used in aircraft construction.
a) no strain
b) lower strength/weight ratio
c) average strength/weight ratio
d) higher strength/weight ratio
Answer: d
Clarification: The strength/weight ratio is an indication of the material’s ability to sustain the load. Materials with high weight are not preferred. Material with high strength and low weight have good strength/weight ratio, hence they are used.

2. Which of the following is not a property of aluminium that makes it ideal to use as an aircraft material?
a) Resistance to corrosion
b) Light in weight
c) High fuel consumption
d) High strength alloy
Answer: c
Clarification: High fuel consumption is not an advantage. Moreover, aluminium has a low fuel consumption. It is light in weight compared to other metals like steel. It is also a high strength alloy. It is resistant to corrosion.

3. Using materials with good joining properties is an advantage.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: Materials with a good joining property are an advantage. The joining property of a material is the ability to manufacture a structural joint by mechanical methods or welding, soldering, etc. It is useful in fabrication.

4. Which of the following methods would be helpful if a material that is not resistant to corrosion is used?
a) Painting a protective layer
b) Heating to 10°F
c) Increase the quantity of material
d) Disjoining
Answer: a
Clarification: Materials that are not resistant to corrosion can be painted with a protective layer of another metal. A few examples of metals are chromium, nickel or zinc. Increasing the quantity of material or heating will not help.

5. Why is low thermal conductivity important for aircraft systems?
a) To increase the strength of the material
b) To protect from excessive heating
c) To keep aircraft warm for passengers
d) For oxygen
Answer: b
Clarification: Thermal conductivity of a material is the rate at which it conducts heat. Low thermal conductivity is important because it prevents the systems from excessive heating hence preventing failure. It does not affect the oxygen levels or increase the strength.

6. What is fatigue strength?
a) Strength/weight ratio
b) Elasticity
c) Resistance to cyclical stress
d) Strain energy
Answer: c
Clarification: The highest point up to which the material can resist cycles of stress. Aircraft are affected by several stresses and loads. It is important to consider their resistance to these loads and stresses to avoid failure.

7. Landing gear wheels are made of rubber to absorb shock.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: Landing gear wheels are made of thick rubber. This is to absorb the shock waves and vibration caused when landing an aircraft. It also prevents the loss of fluids. Rubber is a good nonmetallic component of aircraft.

8. What does a good working property of material mean?
a) To have high strength
b) To be able to bend or machine the material in the desired shape
c) To have a corrosive nature
d) To ability to join the material in the desired shape
Answer: b
Clarification: The working property of a material is the ability to change its shape in the required form. The ability to join the material is called joining property. They are important in the fabrication of aircraft parts.

9. Which of the following is a mechanical property of materials?
a) Color
b) Appearance
c) Reliability
d) Elasticity
Answer: d
Clarification: Elasticity is a mechanical property. It is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after the material undergoes deformation. Appearance and colour are physical properties of a material.

10. An aircraft material should be resistant to ______________
a) join
b) work
c) shock loads
d) strength
Answer: c
Clarification: An aircraft should be resistant to shock loads. Joining property and working property are important for the design and fabrication of components. Strength is an advantageous property for a material.