This technical specialty course is one of thirty-five courses designed for use by two-year postsecondary institutions in five nuclear technician curriculum areas: (1) radiation protection technician, (2) nuclear instrumentation and control technician, (3) nuclear materials processing technician, (4) nuclear quality-assurance/quality-control technician, and (5) nuclear reactor (plant) operator trainee. This course, Mechanical Component Characteristics and Specifications, contains eight modules: Pump Characteristics and Specifications, Piping Characteristics and Specifications, Valve Characteristics and Specifications, Fastener Characteristics and Specifications, Lifting and Handling Equipment Characteristics and Specifications, Rotating Equipment Characteristics and Specifications, Heat Exchanger Characteristics and Specifications, and Pressure Vessel Characteristics and Specifications. Each module follows a typical format including the following sections: introduction, module prerequisites, objectives, subject matter, exercises, materials, procedures, data tables, reference materials, and tests. (A master index and suggested program planning guides are also available--see CE 026 856 and CE 026 639-643.) (LRA)