Phad-CT - Quantitative phase and dark-field contrast computed tomography for industrial applications on lightweight materials

In sectors such as the automotive and aerospace industry there are high demands on hardware components, in particular in relation to lightweight constructions made of composite materials using carbon or glass fibers. The mechanical stability of components subjected to heavy loads must be critically investigated and verified. Non-destructive testing (NDT) methods such as X-ray micro-computed tomography (XCT) and radiographic testing (RT) enable the visualization and characterization of internal structures in a wide range of materials science applications. In the last decade, Talbot-Lau Grating Interferometry (TLGI) has been developed as one of the most important innovations in X-ray technology, which provides information of phase- and dark field contrast in addition to standard absorption contrast during a single scan of the specimen. Due to the novelty of the method, industrial applications, e.g. in the lightweight construction sector, are still scarce. Consequently, there is a great need for optimization both in terms of TLGI systems as well as in test setup and evaluation methods. In the course of this project, 3 different TLGI-XCT-systems (FH Wels, Uni Würzburg und CSEM) and 2 TLGI-RT-systems (CSEM, Microworks) will be used to address the different challenges and material systems. Systematic measurement series required for this purpose are performed on complex fiber reinforced polymers manufactured by vacuum infusion or additive methods as well as on standard test specimens according to DIN-EN-ISO 527-2. The insights regarding the influencing factors such as the optimal object orientation and energy spectrum obtained from these measurements will be incorporated into application specific guidelines for the investigation of fiber reinforced polymers via TLGI-XCT & Tensor-Tomography. These guidelines will provide a reference for future measurements in order to utilize TLGI in a time and cost-efficient manner and to enable a maximum exploitation of information. Subsequently, new possible fields of application and the accessibility of TLGI for industry will be evaluated. Therefore, a study on different materials and material combinations will be performed and a software tool for the visualization of the impact on phase and absorption contrast will be developed.