4.1 Transfer Standards—One purpose of this test method is for the direct calibration of displacement transducers for use as secondary standards for the calibration of AE sensors for use in nondestructive evaluation. For this purpose, the transfer standard should be high fidelity and very well behaved and understood. If this can be established, the stated accuracy should apply over the full frequency range up to 1 MHz.

Note 1: The stated accuracy applies only if the transfer standard returns to quiescence, following the transient input, before any wave reflected from the boundary of the calibration block returns to the transfer standard (∼100 μs). For low frequencies with periods on the order of the time window, this condition is problematical to prove.

4.2 Applications Sensors—This test method may also be used for the calibration of AE sensors for use in nondestructive evaluation. Some of these sensors are less well behaved than devices suitable for a transfer standard. The stated accuracy for such devices applies in the range of 100 kHz to 1 MHz and with less accuracy below 100 kHz.

1.1 This test method covers the requirements for the absolute calibration of acoustic emission (AE) sensors. The calibration yields the frequency response of a transducer to waves, at a surface, of the type normally encountered in acoustic emission work. The transducer voltage response is determined at discrete frequency intervals of approximately 10 kHz up to 1 MHz. The input is a given well-established dynamic displacement normal to the mounting surface. The units of the calibration are output voltage per unit mechanical input (displacement, velocity, or acceleration).

1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.4 This 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.