Industrial Computed Tomography
Industrial computed tomography is a process that creates a three-dimensional model from many projection images taken from different angles. It is used for non-destructive analysis of materials and components.
Physico-chemical working principle
Industrial computed tomography (CT) uses X-rays or other radiation types to irradiate an object from different directions. The different densities of materials in the object alter the intensity of the beam. This information is captured by a computer and assembled into a three-dimensional image.
Metallurgical relevance & risks when welding
CT is especially useful for analyzing weld quality, porosity, and microstructure. It can help detect defects such as pores or cracks without destroying the material. However, incorrect settings can lead to inaccurate results, which in turn can cause wrong conclusions about weld quality.
Workshop practice & instructions
To successfully use CT in the workshop, it is important to position the object correctly and precisely set the tube voltage and rotation angle. Image acquisition should be in the optimal range for material density to obtain maximum detail. For metal samples, special filters should be used to minimize interfering factors such as X-ray absorption.