Laboratory of X-ray Microscopy
The Laboratory performs macro- and microstructural analysis of metals, alloys and welded joints, microhardness measurement, coating thickness measurement and quantitative metallographic analysis. It carries out rapid and non-destructive examinations of porous materials and mechatronic components, and also provides expert opinions on structural defects and failures.
Description of Activities
Description of the Service
- Macrostructural analysis
- Examination of a metallographic section in the polished condition
- Microstructural analysis
- Microstructural analysis of cast irons – graphite inclusions and type of metallic matrix
- Quantitative metallographic analysis – linear dimensions + uncertainty
- Quantitative metallographic analysis – volume fraction of phases
- Measurement of layer/coating thickness, incl. uncertainty
- Macrostructural and microstructural analysis
- Macrostructural and microstructural analysis for the examination of 1 weld seam
- Macrostructural and microstructural analysis for the examination of more than 1 weld seam
- Preparation of a metallographic section
- Microhardness measurement (up to 5 measurements)
- Metallographic analysis of a replica provided by the client
- Preparation of expert opinions.
Rapid and non-destructive examination of porous metallic and non-metallic foams and products made from them,
Detailed information is obtained on the presence of different phases in the volume of the material under investigation, on the geometric characteristics of irregularly shaped phases and on their structure. The specially developed optical system and measurement methodology allow the examinations to be carried out at high resolution on test specimens of various sizes and geometries.
Examination of surface and internal cracks formed in service.
Testing of mechatronic components, etc.
Equipment
3D X-RAY MICROTOMOGRAPH SKYSCAN 1272, BRUKER
Specifications of the Skyscan 1272, Bruker:
- X-ray source focal spot size at 4 W: < 5 µm.
- Nominal resolution: < 0.35 µm.
- Automatic 6-position filter changer for wide-range selection of source energy, ensuring the best scanning conditions for any type of sample.
- Sample stage with 360° rotation in both directions in steps of 0.01°; automatic micropositioning of the object relative to the source.
- Scanned object diameter from 5 to 60 mm; scanned object length from 5 to 60 mm.
- System control software and specialised software for reconstruction, data storage, visualisation and export to other 3D imaging software.
The following functions are available for 3D image analysis:
- realistic 3D visualisation – surface and volume rendering;
- slice-by-slice viewing of three-dimensional volumes; extraction and visualisation of arbitrary 2D sections; measurement of distances in real units of length;
- measurement of surface areas in real units of area; measurement of volumes and volume fractions in real units of volume.
Modular variable-speed grinding/polishing machine with non-motorised head – LECO PX300. The LECO PX300 is equipped with a control panel for controlling the disc speed, a water tap and a timer.
The grinding/polishing machine is designed for the preparation of specimens for microstructure and microhardness examination. It provides easy, efficient, safe, reliable and clean operation for laboratories with a smaller workload.
It is equipped with a head stand on which a holder for 4 specimens is easily mounted, and an ergonomic handle that allows the head to be lowered safely and easily. The force applied to the specimens being processed is adjusted by simply turning the knob on the head.
Technical data of the grinding machine:
Disc
Diameter 200 mm
Speed 50 – 500 rpm
Motor power 370 W
Noise level
Idling, at a distance of 1.0 m from the machine: up to 51 dB
Power supply
Voltage / frequency 200 – 240 V / 50 – 60 Hz
Current, max. 6.3 A
Tap water pressure 1-10 bar
Technical data of the semi-automatic specimen mover
Torque, @ 300 rpm
Rotational speed 150 rpm at 50/60 Hz
Force, for individual specimens 5 – 30 N
Force, per specimen holder: 30 – 300 N
Idling, at a distance of 0.25 m from the machine: up to 50 dB
Gallery
Access to the Laboratory of X-ray Microscopy
The Laboratory of X-ray Microscopy is part of the research infrastructure of the National Centre of Excellence “Mechatronics and Clean Technologies” and is located on the Geo Milev campus. Requests for access and for joint research are therefore handled centrally — see Contact. In addition, a full overview of the Centre’s other laboratories is available on the page Infrastructure and Laboratories.
The X-ray microscopy equipment was set up under project BG16RFPR002-1.014-0006, funded under the Programme “Research, Innovation and Digitalisation for Smart Transformation” 2021–2027, co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.