Use of Acoustic Emission for the Detection of Weld and Stress Corrosion Cracking

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Abstract
This paper describes the utility of acoustic emission for the detection of weld and stress corrosion cracking. It includes a brief review of the history of acoustic emission, a selected bibliography, and the findings of two researches. It was found that a 100-ksi yield strength constructional alloy weldment produced bursts of acoustic emission for over 400 h after welding. This acoustic emission was correlated with the amount of cracking as determined by metallographic examination. With acoustic emission instrumentation, a convervative threshhold stress intensity for stress corrosion cracking was determined, based on crack propagation rather than on time to failure. A linear relationship is shown between acoustic emission count and stress intensity factor.