TY - JOUR A1 - Buljak, Vladimir A1 - Serrano-Munoz, Itziar A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Prasek, Marko A1 - Contillo, Adriano A1 - Mouiya, Mossaab A1 - Huger, Marc A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - On the closure of thermally induced micro-cracks in aluminum titanate ceramics N2 - Aluminum Titanate (AT) refractory ceramics (as some other ceramic composites) are prone to microcracking, due to the thermal expansion anisotropy of AT and to the mismatch with the thermal expansion of the constituents. Such microcracks cause the room temperature Young's modulus to be only a fraction of that of the non-microcracked material. As a function of temperature, the Young's modulus increases non-linearly. Such increase suggests that microcracks close or even heal at high temperatures. Upon cooling, thermal stress accumulates again, and microcracks re-open. This cycle is fully reversible. While confirming the hysteretic behavior of the Young's modulus, we observe that the amount of microcracks (as determined by in-situ Synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography) decreases linearly upon heating. The apparent mismatch between the Young's modulus and the microcrack content dependence on temperature is explained by a simple FEM model. Such model employs cohesive elements upon cooling, in order to estimate the amount of initial microcracks. On purpose, the model does not include healing upon heating and only allows crack closure. It predicts that crack closure continuously occurs upon heating, thereby qualitatively reproducing the nearly linear dependence of the X-ray refraction signal. It is therefore concluded that the sudden and non-linear increase of Young's modulus with temperature is mainly caused by crack healing. Such finding agrees with previous work and paves the road to a more systematic separation of crack closure and healing in flexible ceramics. KW - X-ray computed tomography KW - X-ray refraction radiography KW - In-situ imaging KW - BAMline KW - Micromechanics KW - BESSY II PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-645082 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.09.237 SN - 0272-8842 VL - 51 IS - 27 SP - 55141 EP - 55152 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-64508 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bauer, L.J. A1 - Wieder, Frank A1 - Truong, V. A1 - Förste, F. A1 - Wagener, Y. A1 - Jonas, A. A1 - Praetz, S: A1 - Schlesiger, C. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Kanngießer, B. A1 - Zaslansky, P. A1 - Mantouvalou, I. T1 - Absorption Correction for 3D Elemental Distributions of Dental Composite Materials Using Laboratory Confocal Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy N2 - Confocal micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) spectroscopy facilitates three-dimensional (3D) elemental imaging of heterogeneous samples in the micrometer range. Laboratory setups using X-ray tube excitation render the method accessible for diverse research fields but interpretation of results and quantification remain challenging. The attenuation of X-rays in composites depends on the photon energy as well as on the composition and density of the material. For confocal micro-XRF, attenuation severely impacts elemental distribution information, as the signal from deeper layers is distorted by superficial layers. Absorption correction and quantification of fluorescence measurements in heterogeneous composite samples have so far not been reported. Here, an absorption correction approach for confocal micro-XRF combining density information from microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) data with laboratory X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and synchrotron transmission measurements is presented. The energy dependency of the probing volume is considered during the correction. The methodology is demonstrated on a model composite sample consisting of a bovine tooth with a clinically used restoration material. KW - Micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy KW - Dental composite materials KW - Computed tomography KW - Absorption correction PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-601630 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00116 SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 96 IS - 21 SP - 8441 EP - 8449 PB - American Chemical Society Publications CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-60163 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Silvestroni, L. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Ulbricht, Alexander A1 - Wieder, Frank A1 - Fritsch, Tobias A1 - Sciti, D. A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Determination of short carbon fiber orientation in zirconium diboride ceramic matrix composites N2 - In fiber-reinforced components, the fiber alignment and orientation have paramount influence on the thermomechanical properties of the resulting composite, for both short and continuous fiber. Here we present the case of an ultra-refractory matrix intended for extreme environment applications, ZrB2, reinforced with 20 vol% and 50 vol% short carbon fibers. In both cases, fibers tend to align perpendicular to the uniaxial pressure applied during shaping and sintering of a pellet, although the fiber tilt across the pellet thickness is difficult to determine. Moreover, for high volume fractions of reinforcement, the spatial distribution of the fibers is heterogeneous and tends to have domains of preferential orientations. We compare the information on the fiber distribution as collected by scanning electron microscopy images, X-ray computed tomography and synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR). The three techniques prove to be complementary. Importantly, we demonstrate that SXRR yields the most statistically significant information due to the largest field of view, yet with a sensitivity down to the nanometer, and that can be successfully applied also to heavy matrix materials, such as zirconium boride. KW - Ceramic matrix composites KW - Synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography KW - X-ray computed tomography KW - Scanning electron microscopy KW - High-temperature ceramics PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-597712 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2024.02.048 SN - 0955-2219 VL - 44 IS - 8 SP - 4853 EP - 4862 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-59771 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reveron, H. A1 - Serrano-Munoz, Itziar A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Chevalier, J. A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Transformation-induced plasticity in zirconia during tensile loading: A combined microscopy and synchrotron X-ray refraction study N2 - The stress-induced tetragonal to monoclinic (t-m) zirconia phase transformation can provide a certain degree of plasticity to Ceria-stabilized (Ce-TZP) zirconia-based composites. Characterizing and monitoring this phase transition on a millimeter-size range, within the bulk and in-situ remains a challenge. In this work, the mechanical behavior of Ce-TZP based composite was studied in tension, combining microscopy and synchrotron Xray refraction techniques. In contrast with microscopy methods, which only provide surface information, X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) allowed the visualization of all the transformation bands, over the entire length and thickness of tested specimens, opening up new avenues for in-situ stress-induced t-m transformation studies. KW - Zirconia KW - Ceria KW - Composite KW - Phase transformation KW - Plasticity KW - Synchrotron X-ray refraction PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2024.136445 SN - 0167-577X SN - 1873-4979 VL - 366 SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-59977 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Wang, Y. A1 - Ulbricht, Alexander A1 - Schmidt, F. A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Schwitalla, A.D. T1 - Micro-CT analysis and mechanical properties of low dimensional CFR-PEEK specimens additively manufactured by material extrusion N2 - Material extrusion of thermoplastic polymers enables the realization of complex specific designs with high performance composites. The present study aims at evaluating the mechanical properties of carbon fiberreinforced semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer polyether ether ketone (CFR-PEEK) manufactured by material extrusion and correlating them with results obtained by micro-CT. Samples in the shape of small bars were provided by Kumovis (Munich, Germany). The determination of surface roughness and density was followed by three-point bending tests. To reveal the pore distribution as well as the fusion quality of CFR PEEK when applied with external forces, micro-CT scans were performed with an X-ray microscope before and after the mechanical test to localize the sites where the fracture is generated. The density of CFR-PEEK bars indicated that they had superior mechanical properties compared with our previous study on unfilled 3D printed PEEK (bending modulus: (5.4 ± 0.5) GPa vs. (1.05 ± 0.05) GPa to (1.48 ± 0.10) GPa; bending strength: (167 ± 11) MPa vs. (51 ± 15) to (193 ± 7) MPa). Micro-CT analyses revealed the local 3D-distribution of voids. Voids of 30 μm diameter are nearly spherical and make up the main part of the total porosity. The larger the voids, the more they deviate from a spherical shape. Significant lack-of-fusion voids are located between the deposited filaments. By growing and merging, they act as seeds for the forming fracture line in the region of the flexural specimens where the maximum local tensile stresses occurred under bending load. Our work provides a detailed analysis of printed PEEK with fiber additive and relates this with mechanical properties. KW - CFR-PEEK KW - Material extrusion (MEX) KW - FFF KW - Surface topography KW - Bending property KW - Micro-CT PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.106085 SN - 1751-6161 VL - 146 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-58112 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zocca, Andrea A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Laquai, René A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Wieder, Frank A1 - Benemann, Sigrid A1 - Wilbig, Janka A1 - Günster, Jens A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Microstructural characterization of AP40 apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic N2 - The microstructure of an apatite-wollastonite (code name AP40) glass-ceramic is analyzed in this study by combining 2D microscopy, phase analysis, X-ray absorption and synchrotron X-ray refraction computed tomography (XCT and SXRCT, respectively). It is shown that this combination provides a useful toolbox to characterize the global microstructure in a wide scale range, from sub-micrometer to millimeter. The material displays a complex microstructure comprising a glassy matrix with embedded fluorapatite and wollastonite small crystals. In this matrix, large (up to 200 μm) spike-shaped structures are distributed. Such microstructural features are oriented around a central sphere, thereby forming a structure resembling a sea urchin. A unique feature of SXRCT, in contrast to XCT, is that internal interfaces are visualized; this allows one to show the 3D distribution of these urchins with exceptionally good contrast. Furthermore, it is revealed that the spike-shaped structures are not single crystals, but rather composed of sub-micrometric crystals, which are identified as fluorapatite and diopside phases by SEM-EDX analysis. KW - Glass-ceramic KW - X-ray refraction KW - Computed tomography KW - Microstructure PY - 2023 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.12.130 SN - 0272-8842 VL - 49 IS - 8 SP - 12672 EP - 12679 PB - Elsevier Science CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-57452 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Evsevleev, Sergei A1 - Arlt, T. A1 - Ulbricht, Alexander A1 - Dayani, Shahabeddin A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - A Review of X-Ray Imaging at the BAMline (BESSY II) N2 - The hard X-ray beamline BAMline at BESSY II (Berlin, Germany) has now been in service for 20 years. Several improvements have been implemented in this time, and this review provides an overview of the imaging methods available at the BAMline. Besides classic full-field synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT), also absorption edge CT, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR), and synchrotron X-ray refraction tomography (SXRCT) are used for imaging. Moreover, virtually any of those techniques are currently coupled in situ or operando with ancillary equipment such as load rigs, furnaces, or potentiostats. Each of the available techniques is explained and both the current and the potential usage are described with corresponding examples. The potential use is manifold, the examples cover organic materials, composite materials, energy-related materials, biological samples, and materials related to additive manufacturing. The article includes published examples as well as some unpublished applications. KW - Material science KW - Radiography KW - Refraction KW - Tomography KW - X-ray imaging PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-572417 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202201034 SN - 1438-1656 SP - 1 EP - 22 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-57241 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mouiya, M. A1 - Martynyuk, M. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Laquai, R. A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Doyen, N.T. A1 - Tamraoui, Y. A1 - Serrano-Munoz, Itziar A1 - Huger, M. A1 - Kachanov, M. A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - The stress–strain behavior of refractory microcracked aluminum titanate: The effect of zigzag microcracks and its modeling N2 - The stress–strain behavior of ceramics, such as aluminum titanate, has certain features that are unusual for brittle materials—in particular, a substantial nonlinearity under uniaxial tension, and load–unload hysteresis caused by the sharp increase of the incremental stiffness at the beginning of unloading. These features are observed experimentally and are attributed to microcracking. Here we compare different degrees of stress–strain nonlinearity of aluminum titanate materials and quantitatively model them. We use advanced mechanical testing to observe the mechanical response at room and high temperature; electron microscopy, and X-ray refraction radiography to observe the microstructural changes. Experiments show that two types of microcracks can be distinguished: (i) microcracks induced by cooling from the sintering temperature (due to heterogeneity and anisotropy of thermal expansion), with typical sizes of the order of grain size, and (ii) much larger microcracks generated by the mechanical loading. The two microcrack types produce different effects on the stress–strain curves. Such microcracks and the features of the stress–strain behavior depend on the density of the cooling-induced microcracks and on the distribution of grain sizes. They are modeled analytically and numerically. KW - Hystersis KW - Nonlinear stress-strain curve KW - Refractory KW - Stiffness KW - X-ray refraction PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-580517 DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19325 SN - 1551-2916 VL - 106 SP - 6995 EP - 7008 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Oxford [u.a.] AN - OPUS4-58051 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Serrano-Munoz, Itziar A1 - Roveda, Ilaria A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Synchrotron X-ray refraction detects microstructure and porosity evolution during in-situ heat treatments N2 - For the first time, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) has been paired with in-situ heat treatment to monitor microstructure and porosity evolution as a function of temperature. The investigated material was a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) manufactured AlSi10Mg, where the initial eutectic Si network is known to disintegrate and spherodize into larger particles with increasing temperature. Such alloy is also prone to thermally induced porosity (TIP). We show that SXRR allows detecting the changes in the Si-phase morphology upon heating, while this is currently possible only using scanning electron microscopy. SXRR also allows observing the growth of pores, usually studied via X-ray computed tomography, but on much smaller fields-of-view. Our results show the great potential of in-situ SXRR as a tool to gain in-depth knowledge of the susceptibility of any material to thermally induced damage and/or microstructure evolution over statistically relevant volumes. KW - Synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography KW - Si network disintegration KW - Thermally induced porosity (TIP) KW - Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) KW - Statistically relevant volumes KW - AlSi10Mg alloy PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2022.142732 SN - 0921-5093 VL - 838 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-54297 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Laquai, René A1 - Schaupp, Thomas A1 - Griesche, Axel A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Hannemann, Andreas A1 - Kannengießer, Thomas A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Quantitative analysis of hydrogen-assisted microcracking in duplex stainless steel through X-ray refraction 3D imaging N2 - While the problem of the identification of mechanisms of hydrogen assisted damage has and is being thoroughly studied, the quantitative analysis of such damage still lacks suitable tools. In fact, while, for instance, electron microscopy yields excellent characterization, the quantitative analysis of damage requires at the same time large field-of-views and high spatial resolution. Synchrotron X-ray refraction techniques do possess both features. In this work, we show how synchrotron X-ray refraction computed tomography (SXRCT) can quantify damage induced by hydrogen embrittlement in a lean duplex steel, yielding results that overperform even those achievable by synchrotron X-ray absorption computed tomography. As already reported in literature, but this time using a non-destructive technique, we show that the hydrogen charge does not penetrate to the center of tensile specimens. By the comparison between virgin and hydrogen-charged specimens, we deduce that cracks in the specimen bulk are due to the rolling process rather than hydrogen-assisted. We show that (micro)cracks propagate from the surface of tensile specimens to the interior with increasing applied strain, and we deduce that a significant crack propagation can only be observed short before rupture. KW - 2101 duplex stainless steel KW - Hydrogen embrittlement KW - Synchrotron radiation KW - X-ray refraction KW - Computed tomography KW - Microcracking PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-542811 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202101287 SN - 1438-1656 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-54281 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -