High-resolution Observation of Steel Using X-ray Tomography Technique

Abstract

A common, serviceable form of steel has been observed by employing synchrotron X-ray microtomography technique. Spatial resolution has been optimized using a test object with varying experimental conditions. Reasonably high resolution, which is close to the theoretical upper limit for the projection-type X-ray tomography, has been achieved for a reasonably large specimen. Its application has made it possible to clearly observe a fatigue crack and its opening behavior in steel, and to demonstrate some quantitative mechanical evaluations.