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Hydrogen in metals can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties with possible subsequent hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC). Though, the mechanism of HAC is not completely understood yet and thus suitable methods for in situ investigations to characterise the crack formation are needed. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a well-known tool for analysing these properties. However, the effective resolution of the detector system limits the detection of small defects by CT. Analyser based imaging (ABI) takes advantage of x-ray refraction at interfaces between volumes of different density, i.e. of cracks, pores, inclusions, etc., within the sample to detect defects smaller than the resolution of the detector system. In this study, measurements on an aluminium alloy weld showed that ABI allows us to resolve the 3D structure of cracks undetected by absorption based CT. Prospective investigations will analyse HAC in steels.
Hydrogen in metals can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties with possible subsequent hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC). Though, the mechanism of HAC is not completely understood yet and thus suitable methods for in situ investigations to characterise the crack formation are needed. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a well-known tool for analysing these properties. However, the effective resolution of the detector system limits the detection of small defects by CT. Analyser based imaging (ABI) takes advantage of x-ray refraction at interfaces between volumes of different density, i.e. of cracks, pores, inclusions, etc., within the sample to detect defects smaller than the resolution of the detector system. In this study, measurements on an aluminium alloy weld showed that ABI allows us to resolve the 3D structure of cracks undetected by absorption based CT. Prospective investigations will analyse HAC in steels.
In this study a metal-matrix-composite with aluminum matrix and Al2O3 particles was investigated with x-ray refraction topography and in-situ tensile loading. It could be observed that after reaching a certain load the specific surface increased steadily. However, the classical radiographs taken for comparison show no damage in the sample.
Proben mit einer Mittelkerbe aus Polyamid 66 mit 35% Gewichtsan-teil an Kurzglasfaser (PA-GF35) wurden im Spritzgießverfahren hergestellt und in einem ungeschädigten und durch Schwingbeanspruch geschädigten Zustand mittels Röntgenverfahren charakterisiert. Sowohl die Faserorientierungsverteilung als auch die Riss-/Mikrorissbildung wurden mit der Röntgenrefraktionstopographie in einem SAXS-Aufbau und dem Diffraction-Enhanced-Imaging am Synchrotron (BESSY II) analysiert. Beide Verfahren spiegeln in guter Übereinstimmung die Charakteristiken dieser Werkstoffklasse in Bezug auf die Fertigungsqualität und die Schädigungsme-chanismen wider.
Das selektive Laserschmelzen (SLM) ist eine pulverbasierte, additive Fertigungsmethode, welche die Herstellung von komplex und individuell geformten Bauteilen ermöglicht. Im Laufe der vergangenen Jahre haben verschiedene Branchen, unter anderem die Luft- und Raumfahrt Industrie, begonnen diese Technologie intensiv zu erforschen. Insbesondere die Titanlegierung Ti-6Al-V4, welche aufgrund ihrer Kombination von mechanischen Eigenschaften, geringer Dichte und Korrosionsbeständigkeit häufig in der Luft- und Raumfahrt eingesetzt wird, eignet sich für die Herstellung mittels SLM. Allerdings können durch nicht optimal gewählte Prozessparameter, welche für gewöhnlich in einer Energiedichte zusammengefasst werden, Defekte in den Bauteilen entstehen.
In dieser Studie wurde untersucht, in wie weit Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie geeignet ist diese Defekte zu detektieren und zu charakterisieren. Bei der Röntgen-
Refraktionsradiographie wird die Röntgenstrahlung, nachdem sie die Probe transmittiert hat, über einen Analysatorkristall gemäß der Bragg-Bedingung in den 2D-Detektor reflektiert und dabei nach ihrer Ausbreitungsrichtung gefiltert. Dadurch wird neben der Schwächung auch die Ablenkung der Röntgenstrahlung durch Refraktion im inneren der Probe zur Bildgebung ausgenutzt. Aus den aufgenommen Refraktionsradiogrammen kann der Refraktionswert berechnet werden. Dieser ist ein Maß für die Menge an inneren Oberflächen in der Probe.
Zum einen konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie Defekte detektieren kann, die kleiner sind als die Ortsauflösung des verwendeten 2DDetektors.
Zum anderen können zwei verschiedene Typen von Defekten unterschieden werden. Bei dem ersten Typ handelt es sich um runde Poren mit geringer innerer Oberfläche.
Diese, sogenannten „keyhole pores“ sind charakteristisch für eine zu hohe Energiedichte während des SLM Prozesses. Bei dem zweiten Typ handelt es sich um nicht komplett aufgeschmolzenes Pulver. Diese Defekte zeichnen sich durch eine hohe innere Oberfläche aus und sind charakteristisch für eine zu geringe Energiedichte. Vergleichende Messungen mit hochauflösender Synchrotron CT und optischer Mikroskopie bestätigen die charakteristischen Formen der verschiedenen Defekte.
For the first time, X-ray refraction techniques are proven for the identification of void formation in Ti-6Al-4V parts produced by selective laser melting. The topology and volume fraction of pores are measured in samples produced with different laser energy density. Unique X-ray refraction methods identify different kinds of defects, characteristic to the regions below and above the Optimum laser energy density, namely unprocessed powder (unmolten powder particles, balling effect, and Fusion defects) from empty keyhole pores. Furthermore, it is possible to detect small inhomogeneities (voids or cracks) with sizes below the spatial resolution of optical microscopy and X-ray computed tomography.
Synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) is proven to identify different kinds of defects in Ti-Al6-V4 samples produces by selective laser melting. Namely, these defect types are empty pores and unprocessed powder, which are characteristic to the regions above and below the optimal laser energy density, respectively. Furthermore, SXRR detects small defects below the spatial resolution.
Das selektive Laserschmelzen (SLM) ist eine pulverbasierte, additive Fertigungsmethode, welche die Herstellung von komplex und individuell geformten Bauteilen ermöglicht. Im Laufe der vergangenen Jahre haben verschiedene Branchen, unter anderem die Luft- und Raumfahrt Industrie, begonnen diese Technologie intensiv zu erforschen. Insbesondere die Titanlegierung Ti-6Al-V4, welche aufgrund ihrer Kombination von mechanischen Eigenschaften, geringer Dichte und Korrosionsbeständigkeit häufig in der Luft- und Raumfahrt eingesetzt wird, eignet sich für die Herstellung mittels SLM. Allerdings können durch nicht optimal gewählte Prozessparameter, welche für gewöhnlich in einer Energiedichte zusammengefasst werden, Defekte in den Bauteilen entstehen.
In dieser Studie wurde untersucht, in wie weit Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie geeignet ist diese Defekte zu detektieren und zu charakterisieren. Bei der Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie wird die Röntgenstrahlung, nachdem sie die Probe transmittiert hat, über einen Analysatorkristall gemäß der Bragg-Bedingung in den 2D-Detektor reflektiert und dabei nach ihrer Ausbreitungsrichtung gefiltert. Dadurch wird neben der Schwächung auch die Ablenkung der Röntgenstrahlung durch Refraktion im inneren der Probe zur Bildgebung ausgenutzt. Aus den aufgenommen Refraktionsradiogrammen kann der Refraktionswert berechnet werden. Dieser ist ein Maß für die Menge an inneren Oberflächen in der Probe.
Zum einen konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie Defekte detektieren kann, die kleiner sind als die Ortsauflösung des verwendeten 2D-Detektors. Zum anderen können zwei verschiedene Typen von Defekten unterschieden werden. Bei dem ersten Typ handelt es sich um runde Poren mit geringer innerer Oberfläche. Diese, sogenannten „keyhole pores“ sind charakteristisch für eine zu hohe Energiedichte während des SLM Prozesses. Bei dem zweiten Typ handelt es sich um nicht komplett aufgeschmolzenes Pulver. Diese Defekte zeichnen sich durch eine hohe innere Oberfläche aus und sind charakteristisch für eine zu geringe Energiedichte. Vergleichende Messungen mit hochauflösender Synchrotron CT und optischer Mikroskopie bestätigen die charakteristischen Formen der verschiedenen Defekte.
Das selektive Laserschmelzen (SLM) ist eine pulverbasierte, additive Fertigungsmethode, welche die Herstellung von komplex und individuell geformten Bauteilen ermöglicht. Im Laufe der vergangenen Jahre haben verschiedene Branchen, unter anderem die Luft- und Raumfahrt Industrie, begonnen diese Technologie intensiv zu erforschen. Insbesondere die Titanlegierung Ti-6Al-V4, welche aufgrund ihrer Kombination von mechanischen Eigenschaften, geringer Dichte und Korrosionsbeständigkeit häufig in der Luft- und Raumfahrt eingesetzt wird, eignet sich für die Herstellung mittels SLM. Allerdings können durch nicht optimal gewählte Prozessparameter, welche für gewöhnlich in einer Energiedichte zusammengefasst werden, Defekte in den Bauteilen entstehen.
In dieser Studie wurde untersucht, in wie weit Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie geeignet ist diese Defekte zu detektieren und zu charakterisieren. Bei der Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie wird die Röntgenstrahlung, nachdem sie die Probe transmittiert hat, über einen Analysatorkristall gemäß der Bragg-Bedingung in den 2D-Detektor reflektiert und dabei nach ihrer Ausbreitungsrichtung gefiltert. Dadurch wird neben der Schwächung auch die Ablenkung der Röntgenstrahlung durch Refraktion im inneren der Probe zur Bildgebung ausgenutzt. Aus den aufgenommen Refraktionsradiogrammen kann der Refraktionswert berechnet werden. Dieser ist ein Maß für die Menge an inneren Oberflächen in der Probe.
Zum einen konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Röntgen-Refraktionsradiographie Defekte detektieren kann, die kleiner sind als die Ortsauflösung des verwendeten 2D-Detektors. Zum anderen können zwei verschiedene Typen von Defekten unterschieden werden. Bei dem ersten Typ handelt es sich um runde Poren mit geringer innerer Oberfläche. Diese, sogenannten „keyhole pores“ sind charakteristisch für eine zu hohe Energiedichte während des SLM Prozesses. Bei dem zweiten Typ handelt es sich um nicht komplett aufgeschmolzenes Pulver. Diese Defekte zeichnen sich durch eine hohe innere Oberfläche aus und sind charakteristisch für eine zu geringe Energiedichte. Vergleichende Messungen mit hochauflösender Synchrotron CT und optischer Mikroskopie bestätigen die charakteristischen Formen der verschiedenen Defekte.
Zirconia-based cast refractories are widely used for glass furnace applications. Since they have to withstand harsh chemical as well as thermo-mechanical environments, internal stresses and microcracking are often present in such materials under operating conditions (sometimes in excess of 1700 °C). We studied the evolution of thermal (CTE) and mechanical (Young’s modulus) properties as a function of temperature in a fused-cast refractory containing 94 wt.% of monoclinic ZrO2 and 6 wt.% of a silicate glassy phase. With the aid of X-ray refraction techniques (yielding the internal specific surface in materials), we also monitored the evolution of microcracking as a function of thermal cycles (crossing the martensitic phase transformation around 1000 °C) under externally applied stress. We found that external compressive stress leads to a strong decrease of the internal surface per unit volume, but a tensile load has a similar (though not so strong) effect. In agreement with existing literature on -eucryptite microcracked ceramics, we could explain These phenomena by microcrack closure in the load direction in the compression case, and by microcrack propagation (rather than microcrack nucleation) under tensile conditions.
Degradation of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in gas‐turbine engines due to calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) glassy deposits from various sources has been a persistent issue since many years. In this study, state of the art electron microscopy was correlated with X‐ray refraction techniques to elucidate the intrusion of CMAS into the porous structure of atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) TBCs and the formation and growth of cracks under thermal cycling in a burner rig. Results indicate that the sparse nature of the infiltration as well as kinetics in the burner rig are majorly influenced by the wetting behavior of the CMAS. Despite the obvious attack of CMAS on grain boundaries, the interaction of yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with intruded CMAS has no immediate impact on structure and density of internal surfaces. At a later stage the formation of horizontal cracks is observed in a wider zone of the TBC layer.
The in situ analysis of the damage evolution in a metal Matrix composite (MMC) using synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) is presented. The investigated material is an Al alloy (6061)/10 vol% Al2O3 MMC after T6 heat treatment.
In an interrupted tensile test the gauge section of dog bone-shaped specimens is imaged in different states of tensile loading. On the basis of the SXRR images, the relative change of the specific surface (proportional to the amount of damage) in the course of tensile loading was analyzed. It could be shown that the damage can be detected by SXRR already at a stage of tensile loading, in which no Observation of damage is possible with radiographic absorption-based imaging methods.
Moreover, the quantitative analysis of the SXRR images reveals that the amount of damage increases homogeneously by an average of 25% with respect to the Initial state. To corroborate the experimental findings, the damage distribution was imaged in 3D after the final tensile loading by synchrotron X-ray refraction computed tomography (SXRCT) and absorption-based synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT). It could be evidenced that defects and damages cause pronounced indications in the SXRCT images.
Carbon fiber composites have been increasingly used in aerospace, military, sports, automotive and other fields due to their excellent properties, including high specific strength, high specific modulus, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and low thermal expansion coefficient. Interlaminar fracture is a serious failure mode leading to a loss in composite stiffness and strength. Iscontinuities formed during manufacturing process degrade the fatigue life and interlaminar fracture resistance of the composite. In his study, three approaches were implemented and their results were correlated to quantify discontinuities effecting static and fatigue interlaminar fracture behavior of carbon fiber composites.
Samples were fabricated by hand layup vacuum bagging manufacturing process under three different vacuum levels, indicated High (-686 mmHg), Moderate (-330 mmHg) and Poor (0 mmHg). Discontinuity content was quantified throughthickness by destructive and nondestructive techniques. Eight different NDE methods were conducted including imaging NDE methods: X-Ray laminography, ultrasonic, high frequency eddy current, pulse thermography, pulse phase thermography and lock-in-thermography, and averaging NDE techniques: X-Ray refraction and thermal conductivity measurements. Samples were subsequently destructively serial sectioned through-thickness into several layers. Both static and fatigue interlaminar fracture behavior under Mode I were conducted. The results of several imaging NDE methods revealed the trend in percentages of discontinuity. However, the results of averaging NDE methods showed a clear correlation since they gave specific values of discontinuity through-thickness. Serial sectioning exposed the composite’s internal structure and provided a very clear idea about the type, shape, size, distribution and location of most discontinuities included. The results of mechanical testing showed that discontinuities lead to a decrease in Mode I static interlaminar fracture toughness and a decrease in Mode I cyclic strain energy release rates fatigue life. Finally, all approaches were correlated: the resulted NDE percentages and parameters were correlated with the features revealed by the destructive test of serial sectioning and static and fatigue values in order to quantify discontinuities such as delamination and voids.
To better understand the mechanism of hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC), it is important to investigate the 3D structure of the cracks non-destructively. Since, cracks introduced by HAC are usually very small, conventional x-ray imaging methods often lack the required spatial resolution.
However, the detection of those cracks can be enhanced by taking advantage of refraction at interfaces within the sample.
To image this refractive deflection we employ analyser based imaging (ABI). In this work we aim at proving the enhanced crack detection of ABI by investigating an alluminum alloy weld.
Die Synchrotron-Refraktions-Topographie basiert auf der Brechung von Röntgenstrahlung an den Grenzflächen zwischen Materialien mit unterschiedlichem Brechungsindex. Refraktionseffekte verändern die Ausbreitungsrichtung der Röntgenstrahlung, welche mit Hilfe der Methode des Analyser-Based Imaging analysiert wird. Dabei wird ein Silizium-Einkristall im Strahlengang zwischen Probe und Detektor platziert. Dieser Analysator-Kristall filtert, innerhalb seiner Streuebene, die Röntgenstrahlung gemäß ihrer Ausbreitungsrichtung. Durch das Rastern verschiedener Winkelpositionen des Analysator-Kristalls erhält man das Winkelspektrum der von der Probe gebrochenen Strahlung. Aus dieser Rocking Curve lässt sich die spezifische innere Oberfläche der Probe bestimmen. Diese Information wird über einen 2D-Detektor mit einer nominellen Pixelgröße von 3,6 μm gewonnen. Die Installation einer Zugprüfmaschine ermöglicht es die Proben in verschiedenen Lastzuständen insitu zu untersuchen. Damit ist es möglich die spezifische innere Oberfläche in Abhängigkeit der Last darzustellen und so Schädigungsmechanismen abzuleiten. Der Vorteil bei der Ausnutzung des Refraktionseffekts gegenüber der einfachen Durchstrahlung ist die höhere Sensitivität gegenüber Defekten mit geringem Volumen aber großer Oberfläche. Somit werden auch Mikrorisse und, speziell bei Kompositen, die Enthaftung zwischen Matrix und Verstärkung (Partikel, Fasern) erfasst. In dieser Studie wurden Metall-Matrix-Komposite bestehend aus einer Aluminium-Matrix verstärkt mit Aluminiumoxid-Partikeln untersucht. Hierzu wurden knochenförmige Zugproben präpariert, deren Messlänge einen rechteckigen Querschnitt von 1,7 mm × 1,3 mm aufwies. Die Proben wurden einem Zugversuch unterzogen, welcher in Intervallen unterbrochen wurde. Bei jeder Unterbrechung wurde unter quasi-statischer Last die Rocking Curve gemessen und ein Radiogramm der spezifischen inneren Oberflächen berechnet. Dabei konnte ab dem Erreichen einer Last von ca. 600 N ein Anstieg der spezifischen inneren Oberfläche beobachtet werden. Demgegenüber zeigen die zum Vergleich durchgeführten Durchstrahlungsaufnahmen keinerlei Defekte. Daher belegt diese Untersuchung das Potential der Refraktion-Topographie zur frühzeitigen Erkennung von Schädigungen mit hoher Empfindlichkeit.
Die Synchrotron-Refraktions-Topographie basiert auf der Brechung von Röntgenstrahlung an den Grenzflächen zwischen Materialien mit unterschiedlichem Brechungsindex. Refraktionseffekte verändern die Ausbreitungsrichtung der Röntgenstrahlung, welche mit Hilfe der Methode des Analyser-Based Imaging analysiert wird. Dabei wird ein Silizium-Einkristall im Strahlengang zwischen Probe und Detektor platziert. Dieser Analysator-Kristall filtert, innerhalb seiner Streuebene, die Röntgenstrahlung gemäß ihrer Ausbreitungsrichtung. Durch das Rastern verschiedener Winkelpositionen des Analysator-Kristalls erhält man das Winkelspektrum der von der Probe gebrochenen Strahlung. Aus dieser Rocking Curve lässt sich die spezifische innere Oberfläche der Probe bestimmen. Diese Information wird über einen 2D-Detektor mit einer nominellen Pixelgröße von 3,6 μm gewonnen. Die Installation einer Zugprüfmaschine ermöglicht es die Proben in verschiedenen Lastzuständen insitu zu untersuchen. Damit ist es möglich die spezifische innere Oberfläche in Abhängigkeit der Last darzustellen und so Schädigungsmechanismen abzuleiten. Der Vorteil bei der Ausnutzung des Refraktionseffekts gegenüber der einfachen Durchstrahlung ist die höhere Sensitivität gegenüber Defekten mit geringem Volumen aber großer Oberfläche. Somit werden auch Mikrorisse und, speziell bei Kompositen, die Enthaftung zwischen Matrix und Verstärkung (Partikel, Fasern) erfasst. In dieser Studie wurden Metall-Matrix-Komposite bestehend aus einer Aluminium-Matrix verstärkt mit Aluminiumoxid-Partikeln untersucht. Hierzu wurden nochenförmige Zugproben präpariert, deren Messlänge einen rechteckigen Querschnitt von 1,7 mm × 1,3 mm aufwies. Die Proben wurden einem Zugversuch unterzogen, welcher in Intervallen unterbrochen wurde. Bei jeder Unterbrechung wurde unter quasi-statischer Last die
Rocking Curve gemessen und ein Radiogramm der spezifischen inneren Oberflächen berechnet. Dabei konnte ab dem Erreichen einer Last von ca. 600 N ein Anstieg der spezifischen inneren Oberfläche beobachtet werden. Demgegenüber zeigen die zum Vergleich durchgeführten Durchstrahlungsaufnahmen keinerlei Defekte. Daher belegt diese Untersuchung das Potential der Refraktion-Topographie zur frühzeitigen Erkennung von Schädigungen mit hoher Empfindlichkeit.
3D Crack analysis in hydrogen charged lean duplex stainless steel with synchrotron refraction CT
(2016)
Hydrogen in metals can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties, the so-called hydrogen embrittlement. In combination with internal stresses, hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) can occur. This phenomenon is not completely understood yet. To better characterise the cracking behaviour, it is important to gain information about the evolution of the 3D crack network. For this purpose samples of lean duplex stainless steel were loaded with hydrogen by means of electrochemical charging and investigated by means of synchrotron refraction CT and SEM fractography after uniaxial tensile loading. Synchrotron refraction CT is an analyser-based imaging (ABI) technique. It uses a Si (111) single crystal as analyser, which is placed into the beam path between sample and detector. According to Bragg’s law only incident x-rays within a narrow range around the Bragg-angle are diffracted from the analyser into the detector. Hence, the analyser acts as an angular filter for the transmitted beam. This filtering allows to turn the refraction and scattering of x-rays into image contrast. Refraction occurs at all interfaces, where the density of the material changes and is more sensitive to density changes than the attenuation. Therefore, it is possible to detect smaller cracks than with classical x-ray imaging techniques, like CT, with comparable spacial resolution. It also visualises the 3D structure of the cracks and gains quantitative information about their morphology and distribution. Since cracks introduced by HAC are usually very small and have a small opening displacement, synchrotron refraction CT is expected to be well suited for imaging this cracking mechanism and can be a valuable tool to characterise the formation and the evolution of a 3D crack network.
Hydrogen in metals can cause a degradation of the mechanical properties, the so-called hydrogen embrittlement. In combination with internal stresses, hydrogen assisted cracking (HAC) can occur. This phenomenon is not completely understood yet. To better characterise the cracking behaviour, it is important to gain information about the evolution of the 3D crack network. For this purpose samples of lean duplex stainless steel were loaded with hydrogen by means of electrochemical charging and investigated by means of synchrotron refraction CT and SEM fractography after uniaxial tensile loading. Synchrotron refraction CT is an analyser-based imaging (ABI) technique. It uses a Si (111) single crystal as analyser, which is placed into the beam path between sample and detector. According to Bragg’s law only incident x-rays within a narrow range around the Bragg-angle are diffracted from the analyser into the detector. Hence, the analyser acts as an angular filter for the transmitted beam. This filtering allows to turn the refraction and scattering of x-rays into image contrast. Refraction occurs at all interfaces, where the density of the material changes and is more sensitive to density changes than the attenuation. Therefore, it is possible to detect smaller cracks than with classical x-ray imaging techniques, like CT, with comparable spacial resolution. It also visualises the 3D structure of the cracks and gains quantitative information about their morphology and distribution. Since cracks introduced by HAC are usually very small and have a small opening displacement, synchrotron refraction CT is expected to be well suited for imaging this cracking mechanism and can be a valuable tool to characterise the formation and the evolution of a 3D crack network.
The most substantial innovations in radiographic imaging techniques of the last two decades aim at enhanced image contrast of weakly absorbing micro and nano structures by taking advantage of X-ray refraction effects occurring at outer and inner surfaces. The applications range from fibre reinforced plastics to biological tissues. These techniques comprise, among others, X-ray refraction topography, diffraction enhanced imaging, phase contrast imaging, Talbot-Lau grating interferometry, and refraction enhanced imaging. They all make use of selective beam deflections up to a few minutes of arc: the X-ray refraction effect. In contrast to diffraction, this type of interaction has a 100 % scattering cross section, as shown experimentally. Since X-ray refraction is very sensitive to the orientation of interfaces, it is additionally a tool to detect, e.g., fibre or pore orientation. If the detector resolution exceeds the size of (small) individual features, one detects the integral information (of inner surfaces) within the gauge volume. We describe the above-mentioned techniques, and show their experimental implementation in the lab and at a synchrotron source. We also show strategies for data processing and quantitative analysis.
In this work, two X-ray refraction based imaging methods, namely, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography (SXRR) and synchrotron X-ray refraction computed tomography (SXRCT), are applied to analyze quantitatively cracks and porosity in metallic materials.
SXRR and SXRCT make use of the refraction of X-rays at inner surfaces of the material, e.g., the surfaces of cracks and pores, for image contrast. Both methods are, therefore, sensitive to smaller defects than their absorption based counterparts X-ray radiography and computed tomography. They can detect defects of nanometric size.
So far the methods have been applied to the analysis of ceramic materials and fiber reinforced plastics. The analysis of metallic materials requires higher photon energies to achieve sufficient X-ray transmission due to their higher density. This causes smaller refraction angles and, thus, lower image contrast because the refraction index depends on the photon energy. Here, for the first time, a conclusive study is presented exploring the possibility to apply SXRR and SXRCT to metallic materials. It is shown that both methods can be optimized to overcome the reduced contrast due to smaller refraction angles. Hence, the only remaining limitation is the achievable X-ray Transmission which is common to all X-ray imaging methods. Further, a model for the quantitative analysis of the inner surfaces is presented and verified.
For this purpose four case studies are conducted each posing a specific challenge to the imaging task. Case study A investigates cracks in a coupon taken from an aluminum weld seam. This case study primarily serves to verify the model for quantitative analysis and prove the sensitivity to sub-resolution features. In case study B, the
damage evolution in an aluminum-based particle reinforced metal-matrix composite is analyzed. Here, the accuracy and repeatability of subsequent SXRR measurements is investigated showing that measurement errors of less than 3% can be achieved. Further, case study B marks the fist application of SXRR in combination with in-situ tensile loading. Case study C is out of the highly topical field of additive manufacturing. Here, porosity in additively manufactured Ti-Al6-V4 is analyzed with a special interest in the pore morphology. A classification scheme based on SXRR measurements is devised which allows to distinguish binding defects from keyhole pores even if the defects cannot be spatially resolved. In case study D, SXRCT is applied to the analysis of hydrogen assisted cracking in steel. Due to the high X-ray attenuation of steel a comparatively high photonenergy of 50 keV is required here. This causes increased noise and lower contrast in the data compared to the other case studies. However, despite the lower data quality a quantitative analysis of the occurance of cracks in dependence of hydrogen content and applied mechanical load is possible.
Alternative to conventional transmission-based radiography and computed tomography, X-ray refraction techniques are being increasingly used to detect damage in light materials. In fact, their range of application has been recently extended even to metals. The big advantage of X-ray refraction techniques is that they are able to detect nanometric defects, whose size would lie below the resolution of even state-of-the-art synchrotron-based X-ray computed tomography (SXCT). The superiority of synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography and tomography (SXRR and SXRCT) has been shown in the case of light materials, in particular composites. X-ray refraction techniques also yield a quantitifaction of the amount of damage (the so-called relative internal specific surface) and can well be compared with damage models. At the same time, it is impossible for SXRR and SXRCT to image single defects. We show that the combination of refraction- and transmission-based imaging techniques yields an impressive amount of additional information about the type and amount of defects in microstructured materials such as additively manufactured metals or metal matrix composites. We also show that the use of data fusion techniques allows the classification of defects in statistically significant representative volume elements.
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.
Using SXRR to Probe the Nature of Discontinuities in SLM Additive Manufactured Inconel 718 Specimens
(2020)
The utilization of additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate robust structural components relies on understanding the nature of internal anomalies or discontinuities, which can compromise the structural integrity. While some discontinuities in AM microstructures stem from similar mechanisms as observed in more traditional processes such as casting, others are unique to the AM process. Discontinuities in AM are challenging to detect, due to their submicron size and orientation dependency. Toward the goal of improving structural integrity, minimizing discontinuities in an AM build requires an understanding of the mechanisms of formation to mitigate their occurrence. This study utilizes various techniques to evaluate the shape, size, nature and distribution of discontinuities in AM Inconel 718, in a non-hot isostatic pressed (HIPed) as-built, non-HIPed and direct age, and HIPed with two step age samples. Non-destructive synchrotron radiation refraction and transmission radiography (SXRR) provides additional information beyond that obtained with destructive optical microscopy. SXRR was able to distinguish between voids, cracks and lack of melt in, due to its sensitivity to the orientation of the discontinuity.
Porosity in additively manufactured materials, such as laser powder bed fusion Ti-Al6-V4, can play an important role in their mechanical performance. Not only the total porosity but also the shape/morphology of the individual pores need to be considered. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the distributions of different defect types (especially fusing defects and keyhole pores) and their dependence on process parameters. We show that synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography allows analysis of large samples (up to several millimeters) without compromising the detectability of submicrometer defects. Correspondingly, a classification tool is introduced that is able to quantitatively distinguish defects such as keyhole pores and binding defects with a confidence level of 94 %, even when the shape cannot be discerned because of limited spatial resolution.
Die Degradation von Wärmedämmschichten(thermal barrier coatings - TBCs) in Gasturbinen durch glasartige Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminiumsilikat (CMAS)Ablagerungen aus verschiedenen Quellen istseit vielen Jahren ein anhaltendes Problem. In dieser Studie wurde mit Hilfe derSynchrotron-Röntgen-Refraktions-Radiographie (SXRR), und vergleichend mit der Elektronenmikroskopie, das Eindringen von CMAS in die poröse Struktur von atmosphärisch plasmagespritzten (APS)TBCs sowie die Bildung und das Wachstum von Rissen unter thermisch zyklischer Belastung untersucht. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Infiltration sowie deren Kinetik im Brenner-Teststand wesentlich vom Benetzungsverhalten des CMAS beeinflusst werden. Trotz desoffensichtlichen Angriffs von CMAS auf die Korngrenzen hat die Wechselwirkung von Yttriumdioxid-stabilisiertem Zirkoniumdioxid (YSZ) mit intrudiertem CMAS keinen unmittelbaren Einfluss auf die Struktur und Dichte der innen Oberflächen(Risse, Poren). In einem späteren Stadium wird die Bildung von Rissen senkrecht zur äußeren Oberfläche in einer breiteren Zone der TBC-Schicht beobachtet.
While structural ceramics usually display a brittle mechanical behavior, their composites may show nonlinearities, mostly due to microcracking. Herein, the stiffness evolution of a sandwich-like laminate of an Al2O3 15%vol. ZrO2 matrix reinforced with Nextel 610 fibers is studied as a function of number of cycles N in tension. The stiffness of the composite degrades with increasing N, indicating microcracking. However, synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography shows that the internal specific surface of such cracks varies differently. A modeling strategy is developed for the calculation of the equivalent stiffness of mixtures (first the matrix and then the sandwich), based on the Voigt and Reuß schemes. The Bruno–Kachanov model is then used to estimate the initial microcrack density in the matrix (due to the thermal expansion mismatch) and the amount of microcracking increase upon cyclic loading. The stiffness in the composite degrades dramatically already after 20 000 cycles but then remains nearly constant. The combination of mechanical testing, quantitative imaging analysis, and modeling provides insights into the damage mechanisms acting: microcrack propagation is more active than microcrack initiation upon cyclic loading, but the second also occurs. This scenario is similar but not equal to previous results on porous and microcracked ceramics.
Microstructure characterisation of advanced materials via 2D and 3D X-ray refraction techniques
(2018)
3D imaging techniques have an enormous potential to understand the microstructure, its evolution, and its link to mechanical, thermal, and transport properties. In this conference paper we report the use of a powerful, yet not so wide-spread, set of X-ray techniques based on refraction effects. X-ray refraction allows determining internal specific surface (surface per unit volume) in a non-destructive fashion, position and orientation sensitive, and with a nanometric detectability. We demonstrate showcases of ceramics and composite materials, where microstructural parameters could be achieved in a way unrivalled even by high-resolution techniques such as electron microscopy or computed tomography. We present in situ analysis of the damage evolution in an Al/Al2O3 metal matrix composite during tensile load and the identification of void formation (different kinds of defects, particularly unsintered powder hidden in pores, and small inhomogeneity’s like cracks) in Ti64 parts produced by selective laser melting using synchrotron X-ray refraction radiography and tomography.
Ceramics and their composites are in general brittle materials because they are predominantly made up of ionic and covalent bonds that avoid dislocation motion at room temperature. However, a remarkable ductile behavior has been observed on newly developed 11 mol.% ceria-stabilized zirconia (11Ce-TZP) composite containing fine alumina (8 vol.% Al2O3) and elongated strontium hexa-aluminate (8 vol.% SrAl12O19) grains. The as-synthesized composite also has shown full resistance to Low Temperature Degradation (LTD), relatively high strength and exceptionally high Weibull modulus, allowing its use in a broader range of biomedical applications. In this study, to deepen the understanding of plastic deformation in Ce-TZP based composites that could soon be used for manufacturing dental implants, different mechanical tests were applied on the material, followed by complete microstructural characterization. Distinct from pure Ce-TZP material or other zirconia-based ceramics developed in the past, the material here studied can be permanently strained without affecting the Young modulus, indicating that the ductile response of tested samples cannot be associated to damage occurrence. This ductility is related to the stress-induced tetragonal to monoclinic (t-m) zirconia phase transformation, analogue to Transformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels, where retained austenite is transformed to martensite. The aim of this study is to corroborate if the observed plasticity can be associated exclusively to the zirconia t-m phase transformation, or also to microcraking induced by the transformation. The t-m transformed-zones produced after bending and biaxial tests were examined by X-ray refraction and SEM/TEM coupled with Raman. The results revealed that the observed elastic-plastic behavior occurs without extensive microcracking, confirming a purely elastic-plastic behavior driven by the phase transformation (absence of damage).
Methodologies for model parameterization of virtual CTs for measurement uncertainty estimation
(2022)
X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a fast-growing technology for dimensional measurements in industrial applications. However, traceable and efficient methods to determine measurement uncertainties are not available. Guidelines like the VDI/VDE 2630 Part 2.1 suggest at least 20 repetitions of a specific measurement task, which is not feasible for industrial standards. Simulation-based approaches to determine task specific measurement uncertainties are promising, but require closely adjusted model parameters and an integration of error sources like geometrical deviations during a measurement. Unfortunately, the development of an automated process to parameterize and integrate geometrical deviations into XCT models is still an open issue. In this work, the whole processing chain of dimensional XCT measurements is taken into account with focus on the issues and requirements to determine suitable parameters of geometrical deviations. Starting off with baseline simulations of different XCT systems, two approaches are investigated to determine and integrate geometrical deviations of reference measurements. The first approach tries to iteratively estimate geometric deviation parameter values to match the characteristics of the missing error sources. The second approach estimates those values based on radiographs of a known calibrated reference object. In contrast to prior work both approaches only use a condensed set of parameters to map geometric deviations. In case of the iterative approach, some major issues regarding unhandled directional dependencies have been identified and discussed. Whereas the radiographic method resulted in task specific expanded measurements uncertainties below one micrometre even for bi-directional features, which is a step closer towards a true digital twin for uncertainty estimations in dimensional XCT.
Die Brechung von Röntgenstrahlen (Röntgenrefraktion) an Grenzflächen zwischen Materialien unterschiedlicher Dichte ist analog zur Ablenk-ung von sichtbarem Licht an z.B. Glasoberflächen. Es gibt jedoch zwei wesentliche Unterschiede:
a) konvexe Grenzflächen verursachen Divergenz (d.h. der Brechungsindex n ist kleiner als 1), und
b) die Ablenkungswinkel sind sehr klein, und reichen von einigen Bogensekunden bis zu einigen Bogenminuten (d.h. n ist nahe bei 1);
Wie auch bei sichtbarem Licht ist die Ablenkungsrichtung der Röntgenstrahlen abhängig von der Orientierung der durchstrahlten Grenzfläche. Aufgrund dieser Eigenschaften eignen sich Röntgenrefraktionsmethoden hervorragend für:
a) die Erkennung und Quantifizierung von Defekten wie Poren und Mikrorissen und
b) die Bewertung von Porosität und Partikeleigenschaften wie Orientierung, Größe und räumliche Verteilung.
Wir zeigen die Anwendung der Röntgenrefraktionsradiographie (2,5D Technik) und der -tomographie (3D Technik) für die Untersuchung verschiedener Probleme in der Werkstoffwissenschaft und -technologie:
a) Sintern von SiC-Grünkörpern
b) Porositätsanalyse in Dieselpartikelfiltersilikaten
c) Faser-Matrix-Haftung in Metall- und Polymermatrixverbundwerkstoffen
d) Mikrorissbildung in Glaskeramik.
Wir zeigen, dass der Einsatz von Röntgenrefraktionsmethoden quantitative Ergebnisse liefert, die direkt als Parameter in Werkstoffmodellen verwendet werden können.
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.