Development of high-energy x-ray computed tomographic scanner and its application to iron and steel analysis

For applications of non-destructive and non-contact analyses of materials used in the steel industry, a high-energy x-ray computer-assisted tomographic scanner (CTS) has been newly developed and put into practical use for the measurement of the porosity of steel and the analysis of the pores in sintered ore. Though based on the x-ray CTS for medical applications, the new development incorporates unique design features that provide hugh-energy and high-resolution output. After extensive studies of analytical methods, the wedge method and x-ray filter method have been developed for steel specimens and sinter specimens, respectively. It offers high measuring accuracy and has been fully proved viable for practical applications. With the non-destructive, non-contact features, it is expected to see widening applications hereafter in the steel industry. (author)