Applicability of the Specimens Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling for Evaluating Acoustic Emission Measurement Systems

Abstract

The authors have been conducting studies on standard specimens for the acoustic emission (AE) method that realize the quantitative discussion about the performance of measurement systems, including both instruments and engineers’ skills, in the environment equivalent to the practical situation. In this study, the applicability to standard specimens was examined for those fabricated by the fused deposition modeling type 3D printer. The behavior of AE generation was monitored during the four-point bending test using a desktop-type loading instrument for the specimen laminated toward the longitudinal direction and having a conical surface defect. It was shown that multiple delaminations associating AE signals occur on the extensional line of the cone tip. This fact implies that the intended actual AE events are generated intermittently at specific locations. Hence, it was found that the specimen has potential as standard specimens for the AE method with low cost and convenience of use.