Analysis of acoustic emission signals originating from bainite and martensite formation

Abstract

In this paper the characteristics of acoustic signals generated during bainite and martensite formation are studied. The results are discussed in a semi-quantitative manner, since a thorough quantitative analysis of the signals is not feasible because of the limited frequency bandwidth of the system and the effect of internal sample reflections on the signal. The frequency spectra of acoustic emission signals are interpreted using a dislocation source model adopted from acoustic emission studies of plastic deformation. It is assumed that the predominant source of acoustic emission (AE) during displacive transformations is the movement of dislocations, i.e. the slip taking place during growth in order to relieve internal stresses. The results show that the mean frequency of AE signals generated during bainite formation is significantly larger than that of martensitic AE signals. This difference in the spectral density of the AE signals can be attributed to the difference in interface motion of the two transformations, and the consequent different behaviour of the dislocations involved.