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.
Photo and Pictoris neutron radiograph of turbine blade
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.