Current understanding of mechanisms of acoustic emission

This article reviews recent advances in acoustic emission (AE) studies, primarily on mechanisms and modelling. Methods of signal analysis used in acoustic emission have improved significantly, allowing various AE signals to be evaluated critically. The understanding of AE from materials during fracture has advanced greatly, but that due to deformation processes remains elusive. Current status is summarized and new goals are discussed in conjunction with analytical, experimental, and electronic tools now available.