Correlations between parameters of acoustic-emission signals and corrosion damage in aluminum alloys

Results of the studies of correlations between different parameters of acoustic-emission signals and the degree of corrosion damage of an aluminum alloy exposed to two different active media are presented. The critical values of the acoustic-emission count rate and the total acoustic-emission signal that correspond to the elastic-plastic transition and subsequent active creation of microcracks are obtained for Pi 16M. The limiting values of the known Ivanov-Bykov criterion, which characterizes the moment when corrosion cracking starts in Pi 16M, are calculated. The acoustic-emission technique may be used for nondestructive testing of corrosion damage on inner surfaces of piping in poorly accessible structures.