Material examination by neutron radiography

Neutron radiography as a non-destructive testing technique has played a prominent role in the development of fuel for research and power reactors; studying of dimensional changes due to irradiation; inspection of corrosion in airframe structures and propeller blades; detection of light components and materials in explosives and investigation of transport of water into building materials etc. The development of a neutron radiography facility by extracting a beam of thermal neutrons through a radial beam port around the Pakistan Research Reactor-1 is described. Graphite block of 30 cm thickness and bismuth block of 25 cm thickness have been used to boost-up thermal neutrons flux level and filter out high energy gamma radiation from the beam respectively. Thermal neutron flux level of the order of 1.06 x 106n cm-2 s-1 and a neutron flux to gamma ray dose ratio of the order of 105 n cm-2 /mR have been measured at the object position which make the facility useful for investigation of material characteristics and properties applying direct neutron radiography method. The facility has been subjected to modifications and changes in order to enhance thermal neutron flux level and reduce the exposure time for better image quality at the object position. The use of beam purity and sensitivity indicators for determining the beam constituents and spatial resolution of the technique is discussed. Visibility of holes under the lead and acrylic step wedges categorize the facility for direct applications. Neutron cross-sections for different metallic as well as composite materials have been determined by applying neutron radiographic technique. The use of neutron radiography as a complimentary technique to ensure the quality of nuclear fuel in addition to other applications like detection of light components in explosives and pyrotechnic devices is investigated. Detection of corrosion in aluminum joints, deformation in aeronautical components and honeycomb structures is discussed. (author)