The propagation characteristic of guided waves is important to acoustic emission nondestructive detection for the structural integrity of engineering components. The finite element method is introduced to study the propagation of guided waves in plate structure with different materials, cracks and coating metal. The displacement contours and wave curve at different receiving positions are examined first for the propagation characteristics of guided waves in plate structure with different homogeneous material of steel 45 and GCr15. Next, the interface reflection, refraction and diffraction characteristics of guided waves in plate structure with cracks and steel 45 with coating metal of aluminium 2024 are investigated. Finally, these FE results are compared with the mechanical pencil lead fracture experiment results. The results of this study clearly illustrate the accuracy and reasonableness of the finite element method to predict propagation characteristic of guided wave.