API RP 571 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
1 Scope - Answers This recommended practice discusses damage mechanisms applicable to
oil refineries; however, much of the information herein can also be applied to petrochemical and
other industrial applications, as the user deems appropriate. It is up to the user determine the
applicability and appropriateness of the information contained herein as it applies to their
facility.
API 571 is a reference document that provides useful information by itself and also
complements other API standards and recommended practices. The document should be
utilized as a reference to other integrity related documents. It is intended to contribute to the
overall management of pressure equipment integrity and is a useful resource for many
mechanical integrity program activities including:
a) identification of existing damage or deterioration and anticipated rates of degradation,
b) identification of future damage mechanism susceptibilities,
c) development and maintenance of inspection and monitoring strategies, programs, and plans
(e.g. per API 510, API 570, and API 653),
d) implementation and monitoring of integrity operating windows (IOWS) (see API 584),
e) development of corrosion control documents (CCDs) (See API 970),
f) implementation of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) programs (see API 580 and API 581),
g) conducting Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments (see API 579-1/ASME FFS-1).
h) application of proper examination techniques, and
i) conducting pressure equipment integrity incident investigations (see API 585).
The information for each damage mechanism provided in a set format as shown below.
--- Name of the Mechanism--- The term commonly used to describe or name the mechanism
--- Description of Damage--- A basic description of the damage mechanism.
--- Affected Materials--- A list of the materials prone to the damage mechanism.
--- Critical Fa
2 - Answers Terms and Definitions
, 2.1 Definitions - Answers For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.
2.1.1 austenitic - Answers A term that refers to a type of metallurgical structure (austenitic)
normally found in 300 series stainless steel (SS) and nickel-based alloys. These materials have
a face centered cubic crystallographic structure and are generally nonmagnetic.
2.1.2 austenitic stainless steels - Answers The 300 series SS, which commonly include Types
304, 304L, 304H, 309, 310, 316, 316L, 317, 317L, 321, 321H, 347, and 347H. The "L" and "H"
suffixes refer to controlled ranges of low and high carbon content, respectively. These alloys are
characterized by an austenitic structure.
2.1.3 carbon steel - Answers An alloy consisting primarily of iron (Fe) with a small amount of
carbon (C). Carbon steels do not have alloying elements intentionally added. However, there
may be small amounts of elements permitted by specifications such as ASTM A516 and ASTM
A106, for example, that can affect corrosion-related properties, hardiness after welding, and
toughness. Elements that may be found in small quantities include Mn, Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, S, Si, P, Al,
V, and B.
2.1.4 diethanolamine (DEA) - Answers Chemical used in amine treating to remove H2S and CO2
from hydrocarbon streams.
2.1.5 diglycolamine (DGA) - Answers Chemical used in amine treating to remove H2S and CO2
from hydrocarbon streams.
2.1.6 duplex stainless steel - Answers A family of stainless steels that contain a mixed
austenitic-ferritic structure including Alloys 2205, 2304, and 2507. The welds of 300 series SS
may also exhibit a duplex structure.
2.1.7 ferritic - Answers A term that refers to a type of metallurgic structure (ferrite) normally
found in carbon and low-ally steels and many 400 series SS. These materials have a body
centered cubic crystallographic structure and are generally magnetic.
2.1.8 ferritic stainless steels - Answers A family of stainless steels including Types 405, 409,
410S, 430, 442, and 446.
2.1.9 heat-affected zone (HAZ) - Answers The portion of the base metal adjacent to a weld that
has not been melted, but in which the metallurgical microstructure and mechanical properties
have been changed by the heat of welding, sometimes with undesirable effects.
2.1.10 high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA steel) - Answers A family of carbon steels in which
higher strength levels are achieved by the addition of moderate amounts of alloying elements
such as titanium, vanadium, or nioblum in amounts of less than 0.1%. They can be more
sensitive to cracking during fabrication from hydrogen embrittlement (HE) (delayed cracking;
also known as underbead cracking).
1 Scope - Answers This recommended practice discusses damage mechanisms applicable to
oil refineries; however, much of the information herein can also be applied to petrochemical and
other industrial applications, as the user deems appropriate. It is up to the user determine the
applicability and appropriateness of the information contained herein as it applies to their
facility.
API 571 is a reference document that provides useful information by itself and also
complements other API standards and recommended practices. The document should be
utilized as a reference to other integrity related documents. It is intended to contribute to the
overall management of pressure equipment integrity and is a useful resource for many
mechanical integrity program activities including:
a) identification of existing damage or deterioration and anticipated rates of degradation,
b) identification of future damage mechanism susceptibilities,
c) development and maintenance of inspection and monitoring strategies, programs, and plans
(e.g. per API 510, API 570, and API 653),
d) implementation and monitoring of integrity operating windows (IOWS) (see API 584),
e) development of corrosion control documents (CCDs) (See API 970),
f) implementation of Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) programs (see API 580 and API 581),
g) conducting Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments (see API 579-1/ASME FFS-1).
h) application of proper examination techniques, and
i) conducting pressure equipment integrity incident investigations (see API 585).
The information for each damage mechanism provided in a set format as shown below.
--- Name of the Mechanism--- The term commonly used to describe or name the mechanism
--- Description of Damage--- A basic description of the damage mechanism.
--- Affected Materials--- A list of the materials prone to the damage mechanism.
--- Critical Fa
2 - Answers Terms and Definitions
, 2.1 Definitions - Answers For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.
2.1.1 austenitic - Answers A term that refers to a type of metallurgical structure (austenitic)
normally found in 300 series stainless steel (SS) and nickel-based alloys. These materials have
a face centered cubic crystallographic structure and are generally nonmagnetic.
2.1.2 austenitic stainless steels - Answers The 300 series SS, which commonly include Types
304, 304L, 304H, 309, 310, 316, 316L, 317, 317L, 321, 321H, 347, and 347H. The "L" and "H"
suffixes refer to controlled ranges of low and high carbon content, respectively. These alloys are
characterized by an austenitic structure.
2.1.3 carbon steel - Answers An alloy consisting primarily of iron (Fe) with a small amount of
carbon (C). Carbon steels do not have alloying elements intentionally added. However, there
may be small amounts of elements permitted by specifications such as ASTM A516 and ASTM
A106, for example, that can affect corrosion-related properties, hardiness after welding, and
toughness. Elements that may be found in small quantities include Mn, Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, S, Si, P, Al,
V, and B.
2.1.4 diethanolamine (DEA) - Answers Chemical used in amine treating to remove H2S and CO2
from hydrocarbon streams.
2.1.5 diglycolamine (DGA) - Answers Chemical used in amine treating to remove H2S and CO2
from hydrocarbon streams.
2.1.6 duplex stainless steel - Answers A family of stainless steels that contain a mixed
austenitic-ferritic structure including Alloys 2205, 2304, and 2507. The welds of 300 series SS
may also exhibit a duplex structure.
2.1.7 ferritic - Answers A term that refers to a type of metallurgic structure (ferrite) normally
found in carbon and low-ally steels and many 400 series SS. These materials have a body
centered cubic crystallographic structure and are generally magnetic.
2.1.8 ferritic stainless steels - Answers A family of stainless steels including Types 405, 409,
410S, 430, 442, and 446.
2.1.9 heat-affected zone (HAZ) - Answers The portion of the base metal adjacent to a weld that
has not been melted, but in which the metallurgical microstructure and mechanical properties
have been changed by the heat of welding, sometimes with undesirable effects.
2.1.10 high-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA steel) - Answers A family of carbon steels in which
higher strength levels are achieved by the addition of moderate amounts of alloying elements
such as titanium, vanadium, or nioblum in amounts of less than 0.1%. They can be more
sensitive to cracking during fabrication from hydrogen embrittlement (HE) (delayed cracking;
also known as underbead cracking).
