On the reproducibility of transducer coupling for acoustic emission testing

An acoustic emission test was simulated using a three point bend specimen and an
artificial AE source. Waveform data was recorded as the sample was cyclically loaded in three
point bending, and the cross correlation coefficient of the waveforms was used to measure the
repeatability of the test. Results were twofold: the stress state of a specimen affects the ultrasonic
propagation therein; and the coupling condition of a transducer may not remain constant during a
test.