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A time domain spectrometer in the range of 0.5–2 THz was used for time of flight (ToF) measurements of THz pulses for imperfection detection in non metallic materials. The measurements were performed in comparison to the established ultra sound pulse echo (PE) and time of flight diffraction (ToFD) technique. No coupling agent and no contact to the surface is required for THz ToFD measurements. Plastic test specimen with notches, voids and drilled side holes were used to study reflected and diffracted response signals. No major differences were observed between the UT and THz ToFD records for the first surface of the notches, voids and holes. Additionally to the UT records also signals were obtained from its back side and a second raw of holes. The THz measurement is fast and has the potential to substitute UT applications in some industrial areas. Within the German project 'Handheld' the potential for miniaturization of the time domain equipment is explored for efficient application.
An algorithm has been developed to remove reliably dotted interferences impairing the perceptibility of objects within a radiographic image. This particularly is a major challenge encountered with neutron radiographs collected at the NECTAR facility, Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II): the resulting images are dominated by features resembling a snow flurry. These artefacts are caused by scattered neutrons, gamma radiation, cosmic radiation, etc. all hitting the detector CCD directly in spite of a sophisticated shielding. This makes such images rather useless for further direct evaluations.
One approach to resolve this problem of these random effects would be to collect a vast number of single images, to combine them appropriately and to process them with common image filtering procedures. However, it has been shown that, e.g. median filtering, depending on the kernel size in the plane and/or the number of single shots to be combined, is either insufficient or tends to blur sharp lined structures. This inevitably makes a visually controlled processing image by image unavoidable. Particularly in tomographic studies, it would be by far too tedious to treat each single projection by this way. Alternatively, it would be not only more comfortable but also in many cases the only reasonable approach to filter a stack of images in a batch procedure to get rid of the disturbing interferences.
The algorithm presented here meets all these requirements. It reliably frees the images from the snowy pattern described above without the loss of fine structures and without a general blurring of the image. It consists of an iterative, within a batch procedure parameter free filtering algorithm aiming to eliminate the often complex interfering artefacts while leaving the original information untouched as far as possible.
The effective high neutron scattering absorption coefficient of hydrogen (48.5 cm²/g) due to the scattering allows neutrons to reveal hydrocarbon structures with more contrast than X-rays, but at the same time limits the sample size and thickness that can be investigated. Many planar shaped objects, particularly wood samples, are sufficiently thin to allow thermal neutrons to transmit through the sample in a direction perpendicular to the planar face but not in a parallel direction, due to increased thickness. Often, this is an obstacle that prevents some tomographic reconstruction algorithms from obtaining desired results because of inadequate information or presence of distracting artifacts due to missing projections. This can be true for samples such as the distribution of glue in glulam (boards of wooden layers glued together), or the course of partially visible annual rings in trees where the features of interest are parallel to the planar surface of the sample. However, it should be possible to study these features by rotating the specimen within a limited angular range. In principle, this approach has been shown previously in a study with fast neutrons [2]. A study of this kind was performed at the Antares facility of FRM II in Garching with a 2.6×107/cm² s thermal neutron beam. The limit of penetration was determined for a wooden step wedge carved from a 2 cm×4 cm block of wood in comparison to other materials such as heavy metals and Lucite as specimens rich in hydrogen. The depth of the steps was 1 cm, the height 0.5 cm. The annual ring structures were clearly detectable up to 2 cm thickness. Wooden specimens, i.e. shivers, from a sunken old ship have been subjected to tomography. Not visible from the outside, clear radial structures have been found that are typical for certain kinds of wood. This insight was impaired in a case where the specimen had been soaked with ethylene glycol. In another large sample study, a planar board made of glulam has been studied to show the glued layers. This study shows not only the limits of penetration in wood but also demonstrates access to structures perpendicular to the surface in larger planar objects by tomography with fast neutrons, even with incomplete sets of projection data that covers an angular range of only 90° or even 60°.
X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a volumetric (3D) Imaging diagnostic method, well established in the medical field, and in industrial NDE as well. Developments in industrial CT aim to extent the applicability to complex structures, which do not allow the access of all directions. This are e.g. limited view, data and angle CT applications. New reconstruction algorithms are required on one
side, and the accuracy has to be improved on the other side. Numerical Simulation can support such developments by providing well defined data sets for the testing of reconstruction algorithms. This approach of virtual CT is realized within the radiographic simulator aRTist, developed by BAM. The poster shows the possibilities of this tool to consider complex scan paths. Simulated data sets have been reconstructed by an versatile backprojection algorithm.
Hot crack assessment during production and processing of metallic materials is an essential prerequisite for the safety of welded structures. The hot cracking investigations presented here were carried out as part of a study aimed at the development of Cr/Ni low transformation temperature filler materials. Low transformation temperature alloys open up the possibility for welding high strength steels. The externally loaded Modified Varestraint Transvarestraint hot cracking test was employed in the experiments described. The hot cracking resistance was evaluated with the help of light microscopy applied at the specimen surface. The proportionality between hot cracking susceptibility and Cr/Ni alloy content was explained by the altered solidification kinetics and by the enlarged solidification interval. The internal crack paths and the three-dimensional structure of the crack net in the material volume were examined using X-ray computer tomography. The total crack lengths for different material depths and circumjacent rectangular volumes, respectively, were be determined. An increasing hot cracking susceptibility with increasing Cr/Ni alloy content was also be established for the specimen volume.
Determining scatter ratios at high energies (> ~ 1MeV) presents challenges not immediately obvious from measurements at conventional X-ray energies. This includes reduced attenuation even in heavy elements as well as a stronger forward bias of scattering. In order to check the reliability of different measurement setups with regard to material thicknesses, distances, and collimation, attenuation and scattering were separately simulated using a Monte Carlo model. The simulation results help in understanding the sources of radiation scattered into the detection area, thereby aiding in eliminating undesired contributions.
The presently active standards on Computed Radiography (CR) need a major revision. It was observed by many users that the image quality for class B of EN 14784-2 is not achievable under the same exposure conditions as used for film exposure. A mathematical model was developed and tested, which allows the calculation of the image quality, proven by image quality indicators (IQI), depending on the fixed pattern noise and the efficiency of the used imaging plate (IP) scanner system. All tested IP scanner systems provide a fixed correlation between the measured signal/noise ratio (SNR) and the grey values in the digital images. The maximum achievable SNRmax depends on the fixed pattern noise of the plate (high dose limit). Depending on the exposure dose an optimum visibility of IQIs can be predicted by calculation and measured considering the attenuation coefficient for calculation of the contrast/noise ratio (CNR). The diameter of the just visible wire is proportional to 1/sqrt(CNR). The optimum tube voltage for best visibility of IQIs and maximum CNR depend on the exposure dose. The optimum tube voltage for best visibility is achieved only at exposures with high dose. A dose dependant optimal tube voltage was not observed for film radiography.