Neutron Radiography

NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY :: NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND EVALUATION

Utilizing our in-house Pictoris Neutron Radiography System, we can inspect a variety of items:

Fabricated parts
Complex assemblies
Failed components
Liquid or powder filled items
Archaeological artifacts

This service is ideal for evaluating neutron radiography before purchasing a Starfire Pictoris or for occasional radiography needs.

Both thermal and fast neutron radiography services are available.

Request Quote or Information

Photo and Pictoris neutron radiograph of turbine blade

SERVICE FEATURES

Service includes in-house exposure, image processing and analysis
Thermal to fast neutron spectrum customized for your requirements
Use of neutron transport simulation tools to evaluate the benefit of neutron radiography for your application
Our team is experienced with handling proprietary projects
Image sizes up to 14" x 17"
Contrast enhancement agents available

ABOUT NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY

Neutron radiography is a proven technique of non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT/NDE) that can resolve defects traditional methods can't see.
Unlike x-rays, neutron radiography can take an image of low-density materials through metals or other dense materials.

Features Suited to Neutron Radiography Detection

Cracks or corrosion
Fill level
Adhesive flaws, delamination or debonding
Inclusions, voids or porosity
Fiber breakage or misalignment
Material usage

Example Applications

High value or critical parts
Composite materials
Munitions/missiles
Advanced ceramics

Batteries/fuel cells
Turbine and rotor blades
Electronics
Archaeological artifacts

THERMAL AND FAST NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY

Thermal Neutron Radiography

Fast Neutron Radiography

Thermal neutron radiography is used to inspect the internal features of an object. Neutrons interact with the nucleus of materials and have strong interaction with organic materials such as carbon and hydrogen. Lead and steel have comparatively weak interactions with the neutrons, so neutron radiography is excellent for imaging organic material sealed inside of a metal casing.

Fast neutron radiography has the same benefits of inspecting internal features of parts as thermal neutron radiography, however fast neutrons have a much higher penetration depth than thermal neutrons. For parts containing hydrogenous materials with thicknesses greater than 2", thermal neutrons will have scattered too much to make a useful image. Starfire has developed a novel image intensifier that is sensitive to fast neutrons while thermal neutrons have little to no impact on the image.