The article presents the results of experimental estimation of the possibility of early registration of structural defects using the acoustic-emission method of control, based on the phenomenon of acoustic emission, which is the excitation of elastic vibrations of the material, caused by the formation and development of defects. To confirm the possibility of recording the processes of predestruction, such as the development of crack-like defects and plastic deformation using the acoustic-emission method of control, full-scale tests of the pressure vessel were carried out and the physical model of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger specially designed for this process was verified. It has been determined that the most informative frequency range for recording acoustic emission signals is the range of 100-200 kHz. The relationship of acoustic emission with the characteristics of defect development during plastic deformation has been studied. It was found that for reliable determination of the plastic deformation process, shared usage of amplitude and the count rate of acoustic emission is advisable.