AE TESTING OF A LOW-ALLOY STEEL PRESSURE-VESSEL

Testing pressure vessels in the field is generally conducted within a given range of test pressures, determined beforehand according to spec ified criteria. Thus monitoring of flaw growth using AE is carried out under restricted conditions. To study the AE activity of flaws in wel ded seams of a pressure vessel (made of low-alloy steel) at different stages of growth and at different strains, tests were conducted on bot h spherical and cylindrical pressure vessels containing different arti ficial flaws. For given test conditions, the relationships between AE activity of artificial flaws and measured strains were studied. These tests form an important basis for the testing and assessment of engine ering pressure vessels in the field.