Acoustic emission testing
Introduction
- The acoustic emission method belongs to a non-destructive test method.
- Acoustic emission testing including measurement procedures, instrumentation, and general methodology is fully compliant with international standards.
- Thanks to its versatility, this method is used in a number of fields (automotive, aerospace, mining, power industry, geology, biology, etc.).
Method principle
- The method is also often referred to as passive ultrasound.
- When a defect occurs (initiation and subsequent propagation of the crack) a generation of elastic waves spreads through the entire volume and thus can be captured by the network of sensors.
- This phenomenon is often called as "acoustic emissions".
- The great advantage of this method is that it is an integral or volumetric method. The whole body volume is tested in real time.
- If we have a network of acoustic emission sensors on the structure, it is possible to locate, based on the physical principles of wave propagation, the source, that generates these acoustic stress waves.
- The method is even able to detect the initial phase of initiation of defects in the structure.
Applications
Leak detection - Even the slightest leakage through the flaw/ loose flange, etc., generates a signal that can be localized to determine the leakage on the structure itself.
Pressure vessel tests – Monitoring and predicting the life of pressure equipment and bundle containers.
Detection and monitoring of structural defects such as flaws, delamination, corrosion etc.
Post-production control of weld joints during their cooling process to ensure that cracks do not occur due to redistribution of stress in the weld itself and its surroundings.
Research in the area of composite pressure vessels and material fatigue - Acoustic emission method is also widely used to control production quality and also production processes.
