Acoustic Emission

Acoustic emission (AE) is the sound waves produced when a material undergoes stress (internal change), as a result of an external force. AE is a phenomenon occurring in for instance mechanical loading generating sources of elastic waves. This occurrence is the result of a small surface displacement of a material produced due to stress waves generated when the energy in a material, or on its surface is released rapidly. The wave generated by the source is of practical interest in methods used to stimulate and capture AE in a controlled fashion, for study and/or use in inspection, quality control, system feedback, process monitoring and others.