Article: The determination of uncertainty in the calibration of acoustic emission sensors Journal: International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP) 2009 Vol.4 No.1 pp.85 - 103 Abstract: The paper reviews the background and methodology of the primary calibration of Acoustic Emission (AE) sensors. Two practically realised basic calibration methods are described and explained. The method of reciprocity calibration is based on the reciprocity theorem. The input current and reception signal voltage for tone bursts of varying frequency are measured for each pair together with known reciprocity parameters. The step function calibration method is based on the generation of well-characterised displacements of capillary brakes on the surface of the block. The response of the sensor under test is then compared to the response of the reference transducer. The comparison of the results of both methods on a steel block is presented. The shapes of measured calibration characteristics are approximately the same, but there is a difference in amplitude between characteristics. The uncertainty of measurement by reciprocity calibration is determined and presented in the paper. The uncertainty in the range from 60 kHz to 285 kHz was ±3 dB and from 285 kHz to 1 MHz, up to ± 8dB. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: The determination of uncertainty in the calibration of acoustic emission sensors

Authors: Jiri Keprt, Petr Benes

Addresses: Department of Control and Instrumentation, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Kolejni 2906/4, Brno, 612 00, Czech Republic. ' Department of Control and Instrumentation, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication, Brno University of Technology, Kolejni 2906/4, Brno, 612 00, Czech Republic

Abstract: The paper reviews the background and methodology of the primary calibration of Acoustic Emission (AE) sensors. Two practically realised basic calibration methods are described and explained. The method of reciprocity calibration is based on the reciprocity theorem. The input current and reception signal voltage for tone bursts of varying frequency are measured for each pair together with known reciprocity parameters. The step function calibration method is based on the generation of well-characterised displacements of capillary brakes on the surface of the block. The response of the sensor under test is then compared to the response of the reference transducer. The comparison of the results of both methods on a steel block is presented. The shapes of measured calibration characteristics are approximately the same, but there is a difference in amplitude between characteristics. The uncertainty of measurement by reciprocity calibration is determined and presented in the paper. The uncertainty in the range from 60 kHz to 285 kHz was ±3 dB and from 285 kHz to 1 MHz, up to ± 8dB.

Keywords: ISO 12713; nondestructive testing; NDT; acoustic emission; primary calibration; reciprocity calibration; step function calibration; uncertainty determination; AE sensors; materials properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.028435

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.1, pp.85 - 103

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: The determination of uncertainty in the calibration of acoustic emission sensors

Keep up-to-date