Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography (CT) is a powerful nondestructive evaluation (NDE)

technique for producing 2-D and 3-D cross-sectional images of an object
from flat X-ray images. Characteristics of the internal structure of an object
such as dimensions, shape, internal defects, and density are readily
available from CT images. Shown below is a schematic of a CT system.

The test component is placed on a turntable stage that is between a

radiation source and an imaging system. The turntable and the imaging
system are connected to a computer so that x-ray images collected can be
correlated to the position of the test component. The imaging system
produces a 2-dimensional shadowgraph image of the specimen just like a
film radiograph. Specialized computer software makes it possible to
produce cross-sectional images of the test component as if it was being
sliced.

How a CT System Works

The imaging system provides a shadowgraph of an object, with the 3-D
structure compressed onto a 2-D plane. The density data along one
horizontal line of the image is uncompressed and stretched out over an
area. This information by itself is not very useful, but when the test
component is rotated and similar data for the same linear slice is collected
and overlaid, an image of the cross-sectional density of the component
begins to develop. To help comprehend how this works, look at the
animation below.

In the animation, a single line of density data was collected when a

component was at the starting position and then when it was rotated 90
degrees. Use the pull-ring to stretch out the density data in the vertical
direction. It can be seen that the lighter area is stretched across the whole
region. This lighter area would indicate an area of less density in th
the
component because imaging systems typically glow brighter when they are
struck with an increased amount of radiation. When the information from
the second line of data is stretched across and averaged with the first set of
stretched data, it becomes apparent
apparent that there is a less dense area in the
upper right quadrant of the component's cross
cross-section.
section. Data collected at
more angles of rotation and merged together will further define this feature.
In the movie below, a CT image of a casting is produced. It cancan be seen
that the cross-section
section of the casting becomes more defined as the casting
is rotated, X-rayed
rayed and the stretched density information is added to the
image.

In the image below left is a set of cast aluminum tensile specimens. A

radiographic image of several of these sspecimens
pecimens is shown below right.

CT slices through several locations of a specimen are shown in the set of

images below.
A number of slices through the object can be reconstructed to provide a 3-
D view of internal and external structural details. As shown below, the 3-D
image can then be manipulated and sliced in various ways to provide
thorough understanding of the structure.