On the reproducibility of transducer coupling for acoustic emission testing

An acoustic emission test was simulated using a three point bend specimen and an artificial. AE source. Waveform data was recorded as the sample was cyclically loaded in three point bending, and the cross correlation coefficient of the waveforms was used to measure the repeatability of the test. Results were twofold: the stress state of a specimen affects the ultrasonic propagation therein; and the coupling condition of a transducer may not remain constant during a test.