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$Characterization of Ultra-fine Grained and Nanocrystalline Materials Using Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction$

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Cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography of polycrystalline material.

S Peetermans¹, A King, W Ludwig

¹Paul Scherrer Institut, Neutron Imaging and Activation Group, CH-5232, Switzerland. steven.peetermans@psi.ch.

|October 3, 2014

Summary

This study introduces cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography, a new method for non-destructive imaging. It reveals crystallographic distributions and grain shapes in bulky metallic structures.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Physics
Engineering

Background:

Traditional neutron imaging uses neutron beam attenuation for material distribution analysis.
Existing methods do not utilize diffracted neutrons, limiting crystallographic information.
Non-destructive imaging techniques are crucial for material characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

To expand traditional neutron imaging by incorporating diffracted neutrons.
To develop a novel technique for crystallographic distribution and grain mapping.
To enable the study of large grains in bulky metallic structures.

Main Methods:

Cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography was developed and applied.
Samples were rotated in a cold neutron beam with a limited wavelength band.
Diffracted neutron projections were captured to determine crystallite orientation and reconstruct grain shape.

Main Results:

The technique successfully obtained crystallographic distributions (grain mapping).
Grain shapes were reconstructed from diffracted neutron projections.
Experimental comparison with synchrotron diffraction contrast tomography was performed on recrystallized aluminum.

Conclusions:

Cold neutron diffraction contrast tomography provides detailed crystallographic information.
The method is suitable for analyzing large grains in bulky metallic materials.
This technique offers a new avenue for non-destructive material characterization.