Article RT-6 of Section X of the ASME Code specifies a mandatory acoustic emission test for one-of-a-kind fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessels. In addition, the Article sets out the unique requirements for testing pressure
vessels and enumerates specific evaluation criteria. The basic test procedure is covered in Article 11 of Section V of the Code. The technical issues underlying the provisions of these.documents are reviewed in this paper. Test results, defects detected,and problems encountered with three tests of a Section X pressure vessel raised a number of issues concerning the acoustic emission test. As a direct result, recommendations were developed for improving Article RT-6, and a number of changes have been accepted by tbe Section X Subcommittee. The most important of these changes is addition of a new paragraph
covering testing of repaired vewels. The paragraph has now been incorporated into the Code.
Keywords: acoustic emission, fiber reinforced plastic, ASME Code, repair, pressure vessel.