Applications of X-Ray Tomography to Additively Manufactured Materials

Using the techniques of additive manufacturing, unique microstructures can be intentionally made using metals, polymers, and cements, among other materials. Unique defects can also be unintentionally made (e.g., pores of various shapes). X-ray tomography can be used to create three-dimensional images with voxel sizes ranging from 0.5 to tens of micrometers. These images by themselves are visually interesting and useful, but processing them numerically, beyond simple image segmentation, enables quantitative information to be extracted from the images and used to better understand the material process and properties. A number of applications will be described, from feedstock materials to finished parts, for additively manufactured materials made from metals, polymers, and portland cements. Quantities extracted from X-ray tomographic images include powder shape/size and pore shape/size/orientation.