NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, RAIPUR

Name - Dinesh Jain

Roll No. - 19120903

Branch - MME

Semester - 4th

Subject - Testing of Materials

Acoustic Testing for Shipping Industries

Abstract
Acoustic emission is the phenomena in which the acoustic or elastic waves
radiates in solids which occurs when the internal structure of a material undergoes
irreversible change, for example as a result of plastic deformation or crack
formation due to aging, external forces or temperature gradients. We will see in
this article that how by using acoustic emission, tests are performed which will
give a micro structural idea of the material and with its results and proper analysis
how we can determine the strengths and weaknesses of the specimen and its
durability. We will also see wide applications of this method and how beneficial it
is to various types of industries.

Keywords : Acoustic emission, acoustic emission testing, extraneous

noise, applications, advantages, limitations, summary.

Introduction
When there is a rapid release of localised stress energy, transient elastic waves
propagates within a material which is known acoustic emission. In particular the
processes of mechanical loading of structures and materials causes AE to occur
which are accompanied by changes in structure that generates elastic waves
locally. These elastic waves are stress waves produced results in small scale
surface displacements of a material which are generated when the elastic energy
which is accumulated inside a material on its surface is released rapidly. The
sources of AE generates waves which are of practical interest in the field of
structural health monitoring, system feedback, quality control, process
monitoring, etc.

Body
The term acoustic emission testing means the detection and recording of acoustic
emission using specialised equipment. When stress is applied on a metal the
imperfections and cracks present emit short bursts in discreet form of elastic
waves with high frequency which can be detected when specimens are attached by
piezoelectric sensors. This technique is very sensitive and those defects which
cannot be optically resolved can also be detected by this method. It is a type of
non destructive test which has huge engineering applications and uses for
example ensuring the integrity of structures of vessels, monitoring the quality of
the welding, determine the growth of cracks during pressurization, etc. This
process includes the involvement of the sensors which detects the acoustic
emission and then converting these waves into electrical signals so that they can
be finally recorded. Then one can study and analyse these results and assess the
condition of the material and find any defects, if present.

This process is done on the principal that once the load is reduced the sound
structure will stop emitting signals, and until the previous load is exceeded there
will be no kind of emission of further bursts.

Unwanted AE sources
Challenges might be posed to AE testing by the extraneous and unwanted noise
because in our AE data other various types of noise can also be recorded. In the
proposed AE testing the condition of severe noise can put our show to an end or
create problem in extracting the useful information in our post analysis. If not
completely eliminated, the extraneous noise must be at least controlled or limited
to a level in which we can conduct our test without facing any major difficulties in
interpretation and analysis.

The source of the extraneous noise need to be understood for effectively

controlling the noise. There are three category of the noise affecting the testing of
acoustic emission which are:

1. Mechanical noise such as fretting hitting and frictional rubbing that has
direct action on the the surface of structure or to the body through a load
joint.
2. The piezoelectric elements are affected by the temperature due to the the
thermally induced noise and other parameters such as thermal shock,
overheating or rapid change in temperature producers thermal stresses in
cables sensors and connectors.
3. Poor shielding or bad connection aur damage in the cables can cause
electrical magnetic interference which also includes antenna effect and the
the cross talking between adjacent cables

In most cases from the above points, an acceptable level of noise can be
eliminated or controlled. Some of the most common used countermeasures that
can control extraneous noise are adjusting gain and threshold for acquisition of
data, using guard sensors, selection of proper filters in preamplifiers, software
filters that are parameter-based and quick fixes of the test conditions that create
the noise problem. In real world, however, there are cases in which by quick and
simple means the extraneous noise cannot be eliminated or controlled. In these
cases, if true information can be extracted from the resulted data with the help of
effective software filters and smart data analysis techniques, AE techniques can be
used.

Applications
AE testing is very versatile and subtle and it has many applications across a variety
of different industries. Some of its applications are: evaluation of integrity of
structure, detection of leakage, control in the quality of production, in-field
inspection, detection of active sources which includes propagation of cracks,
creep, fatigue, delamination of fiber, fracture of fiber and corrosion; laboratory
and studies for research and development.

It also has wide variety of applications in :

AET is used in aerospace sector to assess the aging of aircrafts, fuel storage tanks
and motors. It is also used by automotive manufacturers to assess the
components of vehicles and factory equipments. In chemical sector defects in
plant equipments and vessels can also be found by using AET. It can also be used
in nuclear power plants to inspect the nuclear components such as valves, lift
beams and steam lines. AET can also be used in in power transformer for partial
discharge detection. The product quality of pressure vessels can also be ensured
by using AET. Various types of transportation equipment can also be tested such
as railroad tank cars, motors, Marine vessels and more.

Advantages
 AET has its best use in early damage detection. It has the capability of
detection of the growth of flaws and cracks; it can detect defects that are
relatively small, quite early. Before causing significant issues, by early
detection, we can repair these flaws.
 Best advantage of AET is that it can be used when on a unit or machine
while it is still operating. Significant cost can be reduced by avoiding a
shutdown and keep the productivity level consistent.
 AET helps in the identification of defects that are active that means those
which are growing. Is seen that the defects or flaws that are likely to create a
significant problem in near future are identified, while the cracks that are
stable are not. This helps in saving money by not wasting it in insignificant
problems.

Limitations
 AET cannot provide quantitative result but qualitative only. It cannot
determine the depth of the size of the crack but it can only say that flaw
exists. For this is it needs another test methods like ultrasonic testing.
 As we know that AET identifies only flaws that are active which is an
advantage but in some cases we also need identification of defects that are
stagnant in which AET will fail in this purpose. Sometimes if the loading is
not enough which does not result an acoustic event then it is possible that
relatively minor active flaws may not be detected by AET.
 A case may arise when AET is performed in loud service environments
which can prove to be more challenging to get accurate results. Hence
signal discrimination and techniques like noise reduction and other
technologies are required so that the excess noise can be filtered out.
  Using the technique of AET is not easy and it requires the operator to be
experienced, skilled and knowledgeable. And the use of relatively complex
and expensive software and hardware has become necessary.

Summary
Research in the AE testing field of structures that are concrete has undergone a
drastic improvement because of the increasing need of renovation and analysis of
concrete structures. Several practical applications of AE testing has been realised
which is led by various research works.

Today we are in dire need to develop and innovate a more generalized and
concrete method to interpret and analyse the data which is recorded by AE which
can solve major problems relating to the integrity of structures and improve the
efficiency of AE testing. We already saw that the applications of AE testing is
widespread and more and more industries are adopting this method to test the
strength and durability of their components and various parts of their machinery.

References
1. https://www.stress.com/acoustic-emission-testing-overview/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/acoustic-emission-testing
3. https://inspectioneering.com/tag/acoustic+emission
4. https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/acoustic-emission-
testing
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_emission
6. Mechanical Metallurgy- George E. Dieter, SI metric edition, 1988,
McGraw Hill Book Co Ltd, U.K.
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Abstract 
Acoustic emission is the phenomena in which the acoustic or elastic waves radiates in solids which occurs when the
internal structure of a material undergoes irreversible change, for example as a result of plastic deformation or crack
formation due to aging, external forces or temperature gradients. We will see in this article that how by using acoustic
emission, tests are performed which will give a micro structural idea of the material and with its results and proper
analysis how we can determine the strengths and weaknesses of the specimen and its durability. We will also see wide
applications of this method and how beneficial it is to various types of industries. 
Keywords : Acoustic emission, acoustic emission testing, extraneous noise, applications, advantages, limitations,
summary.
Introduction
When there is a rapid release of localised stress energy, transient elastic waves propagates within a material which is
known acoustic emission. In particular the processes of mechanical loading of structures and materials causes AE to
occur which are accompanied by changes in structure that generates elastic waves locally. These elastic waves are
stress waves produced results in small scale surface displacements of a material which are generated when the elastic
energy which is accumulated inside a material on its surface is released rapidly. The sources of AE generates waves
which are of practical interest in the field of structural health monitoring, system feedback, quality control, process
monitoring, etc.
Body 
The term acoustic emission testing means the detection and recording of acoustic emission using specialised
equipment. When stress is applied on a metal the imperfections and cracks present emit short bursts in discreet form of
elastic waves with high frequency which can be detected when specimens are attached by piezoelectric sensors. This
technique is very sensitive and those defects which cannot be optically resolved can also be detected by this method. It
is a type of non destructive test which has huge engineering applications and uses for example ensuring the integrity of
structures of vessels, monitoring the quality of the welding, determine the growth of cracks during pressurization, etc.
This process includes the involvement of the sensors which detects the acoustic emission and then converting these
waves into electrical signals so that they can be finally recorded. Then one can study and analyse these results and
assess the condition of the material and find any defects, if present. 
This process is done on the principal that once the load is reduced the sound structure will stop emitting signals, and
until the previous load is exceeded there will be no kind of emission of further bursts. 

Unwanted AE sources
Challenges might be posed to AE testing by the extraneous and unwanted noise because in our AE data other various
types of noise can also be recorded. In the proposed AE testing the condition of severe noise can put our show to an
end or create problem in extracting the useful information in our post analysis. If not completely eliminated, the
extraneous noise must be at least controlled or limited to a level in which we can conduct our test without facing any
major difficulties in interpretation and analysis.
The source of the extraneous noise need to be understood for effectively controlling the noise. There are three category
of the noise affecting the testing of acoustic emission which are:
1. Mechanical noise such as fretting hitting and frictional rubbing that has direct action on the the surface of structure or
 Page 2
to the body through a load joint.
2. The piezoelectric elements are affected by the temperature due to the the thermally induced noise and other
parameters such as thermal shock, overheating or rapid change in temperature producers thermal stresses in cables
sensors and connectors.
3. Poor shielding or bad connection aur damage in the cables can cause electrical magnetic interference which also
includes antenna effect and the the cross talking between adjacent cables
In most cases from the above points, an acceptable level of noise can be eliminated or controlled. Some of the most
common used countermeasures that can control extraneous noise are adjusting gain and threshold for acquisition of
data, using guard sensors, selection of proper filters in preamplifiers, software filters that are parameter­based and
quick fixes of the test conditions that create the noise problem. In real world, however, there are cases in which by
quick and simple means the extraneous noise cannot be eliminated or controlled. In these cases, if true information can
be extracted from the resulted data with the help of effective software filters and smart data analysis techniques, AE
techniques can be used. 
Applications
AE testing is very versatile and subtle and it has many applications across a variety of different industries. Some of its
applications are: evaluation of integrity of structure, detection of leakage, control in the quality of production, in­field
inspection, detection of active sources which includes propagation of cracks, creep, fatigue, delamination of fiber,
fracture of fiber and corrosion; laboratory and studies for research and development.
It also has wide variety of applications in : 
AET is used in aerospace sector to assess the aging of aircrafts, fuel storage tanks and motors. It is also used by
automotive manufacturers to assess the components of vehicles and factory equipments. In chemical sector defects in
plant equipments and vessels can also be found by using AET. It can also be used in nuclear power plants to inspect
the nuclear components such as valves, lift beams and steam lines. AET can also be used in in power transformer for
partial discharge detection. The product quality of pressure vessels can also be ensured by using AET. Various types of
transportation equipment can also be tested such as railroad tank cars, motors, Marine vessels and more.
Advantages
• AET has its best use in early damage detection. It has the capability of detection of the growth of flaws and cracks; it
can detect defects that are relatively small, quite early. Before causing significant issues, by early detection, we can
repair these flaws.

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As we know that AET identifies only flaws that are active which is an
advantage but in some cases we also need identification of defects that are
stagnant in which AET will fail in this purpose. Sometimes if the loading is
not enough which does not result an acoustic event then it is possible that
relatively minor active flaws may not be detected by AET.
 A case may arise when AET is performed in loud service environments
which can prove to be more challenging to get accurate results. Hence
signal discrimination and techniques like noise reduction and other
technologies are required so that the excess noise can be filtered out.
 Using the technique of AET is not easy and it requires the operator to be
experienced, skilled and knowledgeable. And the use of relatively complex
and expensive software and hardware has become necessary.
Summary
Research in the AE testing field of structures that are concrete has undergone a
drastic improvement because of the increasing need of renovation and analysis of
concrete structures. Several practical applications of AE testing has been realised
which is led by various research works.
Today we are in dire need to develop and innovate a more generalized and
concrete method to interpret and analyse the data which is recorded by AE which
can solve major problems relating to the integrity of structures and improve the
efficiency of AE testing. We already saw that the applications of AE testing is
widespread and more and more industries are adopting this method to test the
strength and durability of their components and various parts of their machinery.

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