Using synchrotron x-ray microtomography to detect defects

Journal Article · Mon Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1994 · Welding Journal (Miami); (United States)

OSTI ID:5032846

Milewski, J O ^[1]; Hmelo, A B ^[2]; Dunsmuir, J H; Ferguson, S R ^[3]; D'Amico, K L ^[4]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
2. Vanderbilt Univ., Nashville, TN (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
3. Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Annandale, NJ (United States)
4. X-ray Analytics, Ltd., Upton, NY (United States)

Computer-assisted tomography has been employed for a wide range of inspection applications in industrial settings, as in the evaluation of assembled rocket nozzles, or Space Shuttle components. This article explores the capabilities of a version of this technology that can deliver spatial resolution of the order of 1 micron, while providing three-dimensional reconstructions of the specimens. Synchrotron microtomography has been recently demonstrated at several facilities around the world and has been used to characterize a variety of specimens, including microballoons for use as inertial confinement fusion targets. High resolution x-ray tomography provides an unprecedented opportunity for nondestructive materials evaluation. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the ability of synchrotron x-ray microtomography to image porosity and other discontinuities in laser beam welded aluminum. A Nd:YAG laser beam weld was prepared using a difficult-to-weld aluminum alloy and a set of welding parameters known to promote the formation of weld defects. The extent and occurrence of these defects were characterized using synchrotron x-ray microtomography and compared with optical and scanning electron microscopy techniques.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 5032846
• Journal Information: Welding Journal (Miami); (United States), Journal Name: Welding Journal (Miami); (United States) Vol. 73:2; ISSN 0043-2296; ISSN WEJUA3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420500* -- Engineering-- Materials Testing
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DATA
DEFECTS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FABRICATION
INFORMATION
JOINING
JOINTS
LASER WELDING
MATERIALS TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
NUMERICAL DATA
POROSITY
RADIATIONS
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
TESTING
TOMOGRAPHY
WELDED JOINTS
WELDING