Laboratory Experiments For Assessing The Detectability Of Specific Defects By Acoustic Emission Testing

Abstract

For acoustic emission (AE) testing of pressure vessels during in-service inspection, special experiments must be performed to get the appropriate information in some cases. Design of such experiments is the focus of this paper. The main point is the loading history. Limitations on the experimental load history, which result from the Kaiser-effect and the goal of the test, are given. The next important point is the generation of an appropriate defect. An example with an initial artificial weld defect and defect growth by pressure cycling is given. The measured low AE activ-ity during this test shows that experimental verification for AE testing may be necessary, even if standard procedures are used.

For acoustic emission (AE) testing of pressure vessels during in-service inspection, special experiments must be performed to get the appropriate information in some cases. Design of such experiments is the focus of this paper. The main point is the loading history. Limitations on the experimental load history, which result from the Kaiser-effect and the goal of the test, are given. The next important point is the generation of an appropriate defect. An example with an initial artificial weld defect and defect growth by pressure cycling is given. The measured low AE activ-ity during this test shows that experimental verification for AE testing may be necessary, even if standard procedures are used.