AE Calibration and Simulators: Signal Source

Hsu Nielsen Sources

• 5HNS03 5 pieces of Hsu-Nielsen Sources (pencils) with shoe according to ASTM E976 for 0.35 mm leads.
• 5HNS05 5 pieces of Hsu-Nielsen Sources (pencils) with shoe according to ASTM E976 for 0.5 mm leads.
• 5HNS03-Shoe 5 replacement shoes for Hsu-Nielsen Sources 0.35 mm.
• 5HNS05-Shoe 5 replacement shoes for Hsu-Nielsen Sources 0.5 mm
• 12HNS03-Ld 12 packages, each containing 12 pencil leads 0.35mm
• 12HNS05-Ld 12 packages, each containing 12 pencil leads 0.5mm.

ATG offers Hsu-Nielsen source pencils, leads, and replacement shoe. Pencils and 2H leads available in 0.5mm and 0.3mm.

For more information contact ATG ([email protected])

Hsu-Nielsen source: pencil lead break

Device (named after developer of the technique) is an aid to simulate an acoustic emission event using the fracture of a brittle graphite lead in a suitable fitting. This test consists of breaking a 0.5 mm (alternativley 0.3mm) diameter pencil lead approximately 3 mm (+/- 0.5 mm) from its tip by pressing it against the surface of the piece. This generates an intense acoustic signal, quite similar to a natural AE source, that the sensors detect as a strong burst. The purpose of this test is twofold. First, it ensures that the transducers are in good acoustic contact with the part being monitored. Generally, the lead breaks should register amplitudes of at least 80 dB for a reference voltage of 1 mV and a total system gain of 80 dB. Second, it checks the accuracy of the source location setup. This last purpose involves indirectly determining the actual value of the acoustic wave speed for the object being monitored.