1.1This practice provides recommendations for acoustic emission (AE) monitoring of weldments during and immediately following their fabrication by continuous welding processes.

1.2The procedure described in this practice is applicable to the detection and location of AE sources in weldments and in their heat-affected zone during fabrication, particularly in those cases where the time duration of welding is such that fusion and solidification take place while welding is still in progress.

1.3The effectiveness of acoustic emission to detect discontinuities in the weldment and the heat-affected zone is dependent on the design of the AE system, the AE system verification procedure, the weld process, and the material type. Materials that have been monitored include low-carbon steels, low-alloy steels, stainless steels, and some aluminum alloys. The system performance must be verified for each application by demonstrating that the defects of concern can be detected with the desired reliability.

1.4Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.5This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.