Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) is one of NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) techniques that is based on the generation of waves produced by a sudden redistribution of stress in a material. An AET detects and monitors the release of ultrasonic stress waves from localised sources when a material deforms under stress.
Reference Definition by Nde-ed.org: Acoustic Emission (AE) refers to the generation of transient elastic waves produced by a sudden redistribution of stress in a material. When a structure is subjected to an external stimulus (change in pressure, load, or temperature), localized sources trigger the release of energy, in the form of stress waves, which propagate to the surface and are recorded by sensors. Detection and analysis of AE signals can supply valuable information regarding the origin and importance of a discontinuity in a material. Because of the versatility of Acoustic Emission Testing (AET), it has many industrial applications (e.g. assessing structural integrity, detecting flaws, testing for leaks, or monitoring weld quality) and is used extensively as a research tool.
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