Factors affecting the selection of acoustic emission testing instruments

Factors affecting the selection of acoustic emission testing instruments

Before conducting an acoustic emission test or inspection, it is necessary to first select the detection instrument according to the object to be inspected and the purpose of the inspection. The main factors to be considered are as follows:
    (1) The material to be monitored: The frequency domain, amplitude, and frequency characteristics of the acoustic emission signal vary greatly with the type of material. For example, the frequency domain of metal materials is about several kHz to several MHz, that of composite materials is about several kHz to several hundred kHz, and that of rocks and concrete is about several Hz to several hundred kHz. Different operating frequencies need to be considered for different materials.
    (2) The object to be monitored: The size and shape of the object to be inspected, the possible location and characteristics of the emission source determine the number of channels of the selected detection instrument. Different types of systems need to be selected for different inspections such as laboratory material testing, on-site component inspection, and various industrial process monitoring. For example, for laboratory research, general-purpose types are often used, for large components, multi-channel types are used, and for process monitoring, special types are used.
    (3) The type of information required: According to the type of information required and the analysis method, it is necessary to consider the performance and functions of the detection system, such as signal parameters, waveform recording, source location, signal identification, and real-time or post-analysis and display.
Table 6.1 lists the main factors that need to be considered when selecting a detection system.
Table 6.1 Factors affecting the selection of testing instruments