The AE examination method detects damage in FRP equipment. The damage mechanisms that are detected in FRP are as follows: resin cracking, fiber debonding, fiber pullout, fiber breakage, delamination, and bond failure in assembled joints (for example, nozzles, manways, etc.). Flaws in unstressed areas and flaws that are structurally insignificant will not generate AE.

This practice is convenient for on-line use under operating stress to determine structural integrity of in-service equipment usually with minimal process disruption.

Indications located with AE should be examined by other techniques; for example, visual, ultrasound, dye penetrant, etc., and may be repaired and tested as appropriate. Repair procedure recommendations are outside the scope of this practice.

1.1 This practice covers acoustic emission (AE) examination or monitoring of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks-vessels (equipment) under pressure or vacuum to determine structural integrity.

1.2 This practice is limited to tanks-vessels designed to operate at an internal pressure no greater than 0.44 MPa absolute (65 psia) above the static pressure due to the internal contents. It is also applicable for tanks-vessels designed for vacuum service with differential pressure levels between 0 and 0.06 MPa (0 and 9 psi).

1.3 This practice is limited to tanks-vessels with glass contents greater than 15 % by weight.

1.4 This practice applies to examinations of new and in-service equipment.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses may be approximate.

This 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. (For more specific safety precautionary information see 8.1.)