New findings on the application of neutron beams for analyses of industrially relevant components

Investigations using thermal or cold neutron provide alternative and often complementary information to conventional X-ray scans. This type of radiation penetrates metal better than X-rays and provides high contrast in light materials, especially hydrogen-containing materials. As in X-ray detection, digital detection systems have been around for some time. Neutron tomography, real-time imaging and phase contrast imaging have been developed and applied successfully. Paul Scherrer Institute has successfully implemented the modern imaging techniques in two lines of their spallation neutron source SINQ and will make them available to industrial partners if required. Lately, a measuring system was commissioned which claims to have the best spatial resolution of all stationary detectors currently available. With a nominal pixel size of 13.5 μm, tomographic pictures can be obtained of objects with a size up to 27 mm. Thin films of glue, solder or lubricant can be visualised free of invasion. Successful tests have been made in the fields of fuel cell research, nondestructive metal analysis and geology. The contribution describes the state of the art of neutron imaging achieved at PSI and presents selected examples to illustrate the various techniques