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Subjects · Leaving Cert Engineering

Leaving Cert Engineering: Soldering, adhesives & fasteners

How often Soldering, adhesives & fasteners comes up on the Engineering papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Engineering course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Soldering, adhesives & fasteners, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Soldering, adhesives & fasteners.

(a)Why is flux used when soldering?
  1. It lowers the melting point of the copper so it bonds
  2. Removes and prevents oxides so the solder can wet the metal
  3. It makes the soldered joint stronger than the metal
(b)Why use a Nyloc nut on a vibrating machine?
  1. It makes a permanent joint that cannot be undone
  2. It can be tightened fully by hand without a spanner
  3. Its nylon insert grips the thread and resists loosening
(c)Theory of adhesion where glue flows into surface roughness and locks as it sets?
  1. Mechanical adhesion
  2. Vulcanisation
  3. Specific (molecular) adhesion
Show the answers

(a) Removes and prevents oxides so the solder can wet the metal

(b) Its nylon insert grips the thread and resists loosening

(c) Mechanical adhesion

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Soldering, adhesives & fasteners.

Higher Level

Asked on 2 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q1(b)
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Q8(c)OR
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1(b), Q1(d), Q1(k), Q1(m)
2024Q2, Q4
2023Q1(d), Q1(j), Q1(l), Q4
2022Q1(b), Q1(i), Q1(m)
2021Q1(b), Q4
2019Q1(e), Q1(i)
2018Q1(e), Q4
2017Q1(l), Q4
2016Q1(g), Q4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Soldering, adhesives & fasteners questions

Soldering, adhesives & fasteners, 2 marks

Which of these is a temporary joint?

  1. Weld
  2. Pop rivet
  3. Nut and bolt
Show the answer

Nut and bolt

A temporary joint can be taken apart without damage, like a nut and bolt or thumbscrew. Welds and pop rivets are permanent: they must be cut or drilled out.

Soldering, adhesives & fasteners, 2 marks

Purpose of a locknut such as a Nyloc nut?

  1. Makes the joint permanent so it cannot be undone
  2. Stops the nut working loose from vibration
  3. Lets the nut be tightened by hand only
Show the answer

Stops the nut working loose from vibration

A Nyloc nut has a nylon insert that grips the bolt thread. It resists vibration yet can still be removed with a spanner, so the joint stays temporary.

Soldering, adhesives & fasteners, 2 marks

Which of these is a permanent joint?

  1. Pop rivet
  2. Thumbscrew
  3. Wing nut
Show the answer

Pop rivet

A permanent joint cannot be undone without damage; a pop rivet must be drilled out. Thumbscrews and wing nuts are undone by hand.

Other Engineering topics

All of Leaving Cert Engineering