Acoustic emission measurements on real reactor components with fracture mechanical interpretation

This document presents acoustic emission measurements carried out on a reactor pressure vessel during different loadings: thermal shocking, hydro-test, cyclic loading. The acoustic emission system is described and results are provided. It appears that signals from crack border friction and crack propagation can be separated by the analysis of the signal parameters. During thermal shock, crack propagation can be detected very sensitively, together with crack border friction. During hydro-test, it appears that defects which do not grow during the experiment are not indicated, and no border friction appears. (TEC)