Materials analysis with micro-CT

Microstructure analysis – high-resolution inspection

See inside your components at very high resolution (0.25 µm)

CT gives access to extremely fine detail, with sub-micron resolution that makes it possible to observe features down to the hundred-nanometre scale. The technology is widely used in industrial and research laboratories to study how materials behave during simulations and in situ tests.

For researchers, biologists and engineers working on materials whose internal microstructure determines their mechanical behaviour, high-resolution CT has become a characterisation tool in its own right.

Fibre analysis

Understand how composite parts behave

CT determines the orientation and distribution of fibres in composite materials, detects fibre clusters and associated porosity, and makes it possible to relate these observations to the mechanical properties of the fibres and the matrix. Tortuosity, length, diameter: several fibre parameters can be characterised individually.

These materials are widely used in the construction of lightweight components (aerospace, automotive…), where analysing fibre distribution provides essential information on mechanical properties.

The results can be analysed statistically with great precision, and complemented by a dedicated cell that reproduces real mechanical loads (tension, compression, torsion, temperature variations) – to better understand failure mechanisms and the mechanical behaviour of materials.

Weld inspections

Check every weld in your components

Many industrial parts rely on joints (welds, bonds, assemblies) whose quality determines the mechanical strength of the final assembly.

In foundry work, for example, a lack of fusion along a weld breaks the part’s cohesion and can cause cracks throughout its life cycle. CT makes it possible to quickly inspect a weld in its entirety and to adjust the welding station’s parameters quickly. A lack of adhesive on lower-density parts is just as easy to detect.

A quantitative analysis​ compares the total volume with the volume of porosity or inclusions and determines the fusion, brazing or joint height at any given point.

First article inspection (FAI) – Failure analysis

Validate your process before series production

First article inspection takes place at a specific moment: before production ramps up. The aim is not just to detect an isolated defect but to confirm that the manufacturing process will produce conforming parts repeatably – before committing to volumes. In the event of failure in service, the same approach makes it possible to trace the defect back to its origin without destroying the part.

CT compares the first part produced with its CAD model and identifies the dimensional deviations and internal defects that could call into question the machine settings or the choice of process parameters. It lets you adjust upstream, rather than discover a problem after several thousand parts have been produced. This approach reduces the scrap rate during start-up and shortens the time between validating a tool and launching production.