Applications and trends of industrial neutron radiography

Industrial applications of neutron radiography have expanded over the last 10 to 12 years as this relatively new nondestructive testing technique has been accepted as a necessary and routine test procedure. In the late 60's, neutron radiography was considered only for inspection of space systems components and other high reliability and/or man-rated systems. As the space program slowed, applications narrowed to inspection of components for military aircraft and missiles. In most cases, the principal use was for inspection of explosive-actuated devices such as shielded mild detonating cord, separation bolts, severance assemblies, gas cartridges and power devices. In recent years, although the explosive device inspection applications have continued to grow, other applications have expanded to share equally in the use of neutron radiography for routine inspection. These applications include inspection of ceramic capacitors and electronic filters along with other electronic devices, complex mechanical assemblies, and detection of contaminants or residual core material in complex machined assemblies and gas cooled aircraft turbine blades. (Auth.)