Nondestructive evaluation of ceramics by x-ray computed tomography

Nondestructive evaluation methods are absolutely necessary to guarenatee the reliability of ceramic materials and components for the optimization of the fabrication process as well as for controlling the production process in the line. Because of the small size of the strength controlling defects in ceramic materials a high detecting and resolving power of the NDE-methods is required. In scope of this the contribution discusses the microfocal X-ray and the X-ray computed tomography (CT) techniques. Results of investigations with a modified medical tomographic system and a high resolution tomographic unit (microfocal CT) with a resolution capability in the order of magnitude of 10 mym are presented. The paper discusses the components of a newly built microfocal CT-system and gives examples of its application on ceramic materials and components.