Abstract

The x-ray computed tomography (XCT) technique is a widely applicable and powerful non-destructive inspection modality for evaluation and analysis of geometrical and physical characteristics of materials, especially internal structures and features. XCT is applicable to metals, ceramics, plastics, and polymer and mixed composites, as well as components and materiel. The Combat Capabilities Development Command - ARL and its partners are currently investigating the use of cast Fe-Mn-Al steel alloy material in support of weight reduction initiatives in Army development programs. Steel alloy Fe-Mn-Al has been identified as a key enabling material technology to reduce the weight in ground combat vehicle systems. A set of Fe-Mn-Al blocks each approximately 2” thick by 3” wide by 3” long, which had been sectioned from an industrially cast ingot (~12000 lbs.), were individually scanned by XCT using a conventional 450kV x-ray source and a solid state flat panel detector. Due mainly to the thickness of the blocks, as well as to minimize geometric unsharpness and the overall scan geometry (set up), the scans had a very low response at the detector through the Fe-Mn-Al blocks. The XCT scanning parameters and overall protocol used to mitigate the very low intensity throughput and achieve acceptable scan image results will be discussed. Image processing methods used to segment porosity features in the Fe-Mn-Al blocks will also be discussed. Finally, the spatial distribution and size composition of the porosity/void content and how it may relate to processing will be described.

How to Cite:

Green, W., Cheeseman, B., Field, D. & Limmer, K., (2019) “Quantitative analysis of porosity and voids in cast Fe-Mn-Al steel alloy material via X-ray computed tomography”, Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation .