Free UK CAA Part-66 Module 6 Materials and Hardware (B1.1) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the UK CAA Part-66 Module 6 Materials and Hardware (B1.1) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A hardened steel component is too brittle for its intended service. Which heat-treatment operation reduces the brittleness produced by hardening?

   1. A.Annealing before the hardening operation
   2. B.Tempering after the hardening operationCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Carburizing after the hardening operation
   4. D.Normalizing before the hardening operation

   Explanation: The handbook states: "Tempering reduces the brittleness imparted by hardening" and "Tempering always follows, never precedes, the hardening operation." Tempering addresses the stated condition. The other sequences describe different treatments or occur before the brittleness-producing hardening step.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Tempering

2. 2What is the principal alloying element in a 2000-series wrought aluminium alloy such as 2024?

   1. A.Silicon
   2. B.Manganese
   3. C.Magnesium
   4. D.CopperCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states: "2000 series: Copper is the principal alloying element." The other elements are associated with different aluminium-alloy groups; the four-digit designation identifies the alloy family.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Effect of Alloying Element

3. 3In a fibre-reinforced structural composite, which constituent is the primary load-carrying element?

   1. A.The surface finish
   2. B.The resin matrix
   3. C.The release film
   4. D.The reinforcing fibreCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states: "A fiber is the primary load carrying element of the composite material." The matrix supports and bonds fibres, while the surface finish and release film are not the primary reinforcement.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—Airframe — Major Components of a Laminate

4. 4In a corrosion cell, which change takes place at the metal being attacked?

   1. A.It gains electrons and undergoes cathodic reduction
   2. B.It loses electrons and undergoes anodic oxidationCorrect answer: B
   3. C.It becomes the protected, less-active cathodic region
   4. D.It remains unchanged while the electrolyte alone is oxidized

   Explanation: The handbook states that "the metal that is attacked or oxidized suffers what is called anodic change". Oxidation of the attacked metal is distinct from cathodic reduction or protection.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Types of Corrosion

5. 5What does the designation 1/4-28 identify on an inch-series threaded fastener?

   1. A.A 1/4-inch nominal diameter with 28 threads per inchCorrect answer: A
   2. B.A 1/4-inch nominal diameter with 28 mm of threaded length
   3. C.A 1/4-inch grip length with 28 threads in total
   4. D.A 1/4-inch grip length with 28 mm of overall length

   Explanation: The handbook states that the designation identifies a "diameter bolt" with "28 threads in 1 inch of its threaded length." The fraction specifies nominal diameter, and the second number specifies threads per inch. It does not specify grip length, total thread count or a length in millimetres.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Classification of Threads

6. 6Which quantity is the rate of a compression spring?

   1. A.Its maximum load before the coils touch
   2. B.The change in load per unit of deflectionCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Its unloaded length divided by its wire diameter
   4. D.The force required to overcome an extension spring's initial tension

   Explanation: The source states: "Spring rate is the change in load per unit deflection" Rate expresses stiffness, normally in N/mm or an equivalent force-per-length unit. Free dimensions and maximum load are different specifications.

   Reference: Lee Spring — Learn About Compression Springs — Rate

7. 7How is the ideal contact between a bearing ball and its raceway characterized?

   1. A.As line contact along a rolling element
   2. B.As a flat conformal bearing-face contact
   3. C.As full circumferential journal contact
   4. D.As point contactCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: NSK characterizes the ball-to-raceway interface as "point contact". Roller line contact and journal or flat-bearing contact geometries are different. Loaded elastic contacts have finite areas; the question asks for the ideal geometric description.

   Reference: NSK — Bearing Types — Ball Bearings

8. 8A 20-tooth driving gear turns at 1,200 rpm and meshes directly with a 60-tooth driven gear. What is the driven gear's speed?

   1. A.400 rpmCorrect answer: A
   2. B.600 rpm
   3. C.1,200 rpm
   4. D.3,600 rpm

   Explanation: The handbook states: "Therefore, the speed ratio of two gears is the inverse (or opposite) of the gear ratio." The driven speed is 1,200 × 20/60 = 400 rpm. The 600 rpm option halves speed without using the tooth ratio; 1,200 ignores the reduction; 3,600 reverses the ratio.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Chapter 3, Speed Ratio

9. 9How is an aircraft control cable designated 7 × 7 constructed?

   1. A.Seven strands, each containing seven wiresCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Seven strands, each containing nineteen wires
   3. C.Nineteen strands, each containing seven wires
   4. D.One strand containing forty-nine wires

   Explanation: The handbook states: "The 7 × 7 cable consists of seven strands of seven wires each." The first number identifies strands and the second wires per strand. The alternatives confuse the designation with 7 × 19, reverse its construction, or treat the total wire count as one strand.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—General — Chapter 7, Cable Construction

10. 10Which failure is minimized by using stranded conductors for aircraft wiring exposed to vibration and repeated flexing?

    1. A.Arc tracking along contaminated insulation
    2. B.Galvanic corrosion at a dissimilar-metal terminal
    3. C.Fatigue breakage of the conductorCorrect answer: C
    4. D.Thermal degradation of the insulation

    Explanation: The handbook says that conductor wire should be stranded "to minimize fatigue breakage". This addresses mechanical flexure fatigue. Stranding does not itself control insulation tracking, terminal corrosion or excessive insulation temperature.

    Reference: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—Airframe — Chapter 9, Wire Types