General review of recent activities in acoustic emission technology in Italy

Abstract This paper describes the present situation in Italy in the field of Acoustic Emission researches and applications. Information on the level of instrumentation development is given. Both multichannel and multiparameter systems for large structure examination in real time and data logging systems for continuous surveillance purposes are considered. The expertise accumulated in the application of AE to pressure vessel examination during hydrotest is mentioned, this being oriented to pressure components of conventional power stations and chemical plants. Particular attention is recently paid to mechanical fatigue tests. These were conducted on intermediate PWR nuclear pressure vessel, reduced scale offshore nodes and full scale prototype aircraft. A considerable activity has been carried out on application of AE technique to the detection of fluid leakages in power plant components. Both intrusive and non-intrusive methods have been considered. Many boilers and pre-heaters of thermal power plants have been instrumented for an on-line AE monitoring during operation. The problem of the loose part monitoring has been also considered. Several basic researches for material characterization by AE have been also conducted. Different composite material, carbon and austenitic steels, metal alloys have been studied.