How Do X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography and SEM Metrology Verify Robocast Internal Strut Density

Materials characterization scientists and non-destructive testing metrologists quantify 3D strut geometry, inter-filament neck formation, and internal micro-void distributions in sintered robocast ceramics by combining high-resolution X-ray micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), conforming to ASTM E1441 standards recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Direct Ink Writing produces structural components by laying down discrete cylindrical filaments layer upon layer. The mechanical performance of the final sintered component depends entirely on two structural levels: macroscopic pore architecture (the engineered open channel lattice) and microscopic strut integrity (the complete elimination of internal micro-voids and perfect metallurgical coalescence between adjacent crossing filaments).

Industrial micro-CT systems utilize sub-micron micro-focus X-ray tubes and flat-panel digital detectors to acquire thousands of 2D radiographic projections as the ceramic part rotates 360 degrees. 3D volumetric reconstruction algorithms render complete 3D digital voxel models with spatial resolutions down to 1 to 2 micrometers.

Software algorithms execute quantitative morphological analyses: measuring 3D pore size distributions, interconnecting pore throat diameters, filament cross-sectional roundness, and total open versus closed porosity fractions. Complementing micro-CT, Field Emission SEM on polished cross-sections examines the inter-filament “neck” region: energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) maps grain boundary diffusion and verifies whether ceramic grains have fully coalesced across layer interfaces without entrapment of residual organic carbon or micro-cracks.

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