Acoustic emission for NDE in the nuclear industry

Acoustic emission (AE) is emerging as a technique with a number of potentially important nuclear NDE applications. These include the monitoring of weld fabrication, shop, pre-service and in-service hydrotests of the reactor pressure vessel, together with in-service continuous monitoring and leak detection. Experience to date has shown some success with most of these applications, but has also highlighted four areas for development. The reliability of AE must be established by understanding the relationship between detected amplitudes and materials and testing parameters. Methods for reducing or discriminating against unacceptable ambient noise levels must be developed. More accurate location in 3-D must be developed also so that defect depth can be determined. Finally, research into source characterizing must be accelerated and the results incorporated into practical testing so that flaws indicated by AE can be immediately assessed