scholarly journals Investigating the Evolution of Fractures in Clay–based Ceramics During Repeated Freeze-Thawing Cycles Using Micro X-Ray Computed Tomography and Image Analysis

Author(s):  
Carlo Porfido ◽  
Roberto Rizzo ◽  
David Healy ◽  
Matteo Spagnuolo ◽  
Roberto Terzano ◽  
...  

<div><div><div><p>This work presents a study on the fracturing behaviour of a quartz tempered clay-based ceramic subjected to damage in freeze-thaw cycles. X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provided high-resolution imaging of the ceramic before and during the freeze-thaw treatment, allowing to analyse a fully water-saturated sample using a special thermal stage designed to keep the sample frozen during analyses. Micro-CT 3D renderings showed the internal features of the specimen (i.e., quartz grain distribution), the increment of fracture count and size, and the detachment of ceramic and/or temper fragments from the edges of the sample over the cycles. Selected 2D micrographs, before and after freeze-thawing treatment, were analysed using the MATLAB toolbox FracPaQ. This software provided detailed data on fracture length, intensity, density, orientation and connectivity, and enabled to interpret the process of fracture initiation and propagation inside the material. These results showed that the temper plays a crucial role in ceramic fracturing behaviour under freeze- thawing conditions, as damage propagation is influenced by quartz grain distribution and orientation within the material. The study described in this work, not only offers new insights into the fracture dynamics of freeze-thawed clay-based ceramics, but also presents a new methodological approach to quantitatively measure fracture damage in porous materials.</p></div></div></div>

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Porfido ◽  
Roberto Rizzo ◽  
David Healy ◽  
Matteo Spagnuolo ◽  
Roberto Terzano ◽  
...  

<div><div><div><p>This work presents a study on the fracturing behaviour of a quartz tempered clay-based ceramic subjected to damage in freeze-thaw cycles. X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provided high-resolution imaging of the ceramic before and during the freeze-thaw treatment, allowing to analyse a fully water-saturated sample using a special thermal stage designed to keep the sample frozen during analyses. Micro-CT 3D renderings showed the internal features of the specimen (i.e., quartz grain distribution), the increment of fracture count and size, and the detachment of ceramic and/or temper fragments from the edges of the sample over the cycles. Selected 2D micrographs, before and after freeze-thawing treatment, were analysed using the MATLAB toolbox FracPaQ. This software provided detailed data on fracture length, intensity, density, orientation and connectivity, and enabled to interpret the process of fracture initiation and propagation inside the material. These results showed that the temper plays a crucial role in ceramic fracturing behaviour under freeze- thawing conditions, as damage propagation is influenced by quartz grain distribution and orientation within the material. The study described in this work, not only offers new insights into the fracture dynamics of freeze-thawed clay-based ceramics, but also presents a new methodological approach to quantitatively measure fracture damage in porous materials.</p></div></div></div>


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 3606
Author(s):  
Armin Rashidi ◽  
Tina Olfatbakhsh ◽  
Bryn Crawford ◽  
Abbas S. Milani

X-ray computed tomography provides qualitative and quantitative structural and compositional information for a broad range of materials. Yet, its contribution to the field of advanced composites such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers is still limited by factors such as low imaging contrast, due to scarce X-ray attenuation features. This article, through a review of the state of the art, followed by an example case study on Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis of low X-ray absorptive dry and prepreg carbon woven fabric composites, aims to highlight and address some challenges as well as best practices on performing scans that can capture key features of the material. In the case study, utilizing an Xradia Micro-CT-400, important aspects such as obtaining sufficient contrast, an examination of thin samples, sample size/resolution issues, and image-based modeling are discussed. The outcome of an optimized workflow in Micro-CT of composite fabrics can assist in further research efforts such as the generation of surface or volume meshes for the numerical modeling of underlying deformation mechanisms during their manufacturing processes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 417-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Kachovich ◽  
Jonathan C. Aitchison

AbstractA new, previously undescribed Middle Ordovician (middle Darriwilian: Dw2) radiolarian assemblage has been recovered from the Table Cove Formation at Piccadilly Quarry, western Newfoundland. Constituents of the fauna described herein are both distinctive and exceptionally well preserved. Three-dimensional X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) is used to make a detailed examination of four key spumellarian specimens. This technology enables visualization of hitherto ambiguous details of the internal morphologies of key lower Paleozoic taxonomic groups, among which a lack of knowledge has impeded resolution of higher taxonomic rankings.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maksim Sergeevich Orlov ◽  
Pavel Valeriyevich Roschin ◽  
Ivan Aleksandrovich Struchkov ◽  
Vladimir Tarasovich Litvin

Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Fouladi ◽  
Kamran Gholami ◽  
Hossein Ghadiri

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), e.g. clinical CT scanners, basically provides Linear Attenuation Coefficients (LACs) of objects under study by the means of algorithmic reconstruction of acquired views of attenuated X-ray passing through the samples in different angles around the imaged sample. Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT) basically works the same as clinical CT. It provides volumetric information representing the inner structure of objects with a resolution in the micron range. LOTUS-inVivo is a micro-CT scanner dedicated to imaging of small animals and ex-vivo biological samples. In the present study the spatial resolution and Low Contrast Detectability (LCD) of LOTUS-inVivo scanner were evaluated using standard phantoms. We aimed to prove the capability of LOTUS-inVivo for small animal and ex-vivo biological samples imaging using the measured image quality parameters, i.e. spatial resolution and low contrast detectability. By the means of analysis of bar and LCD phantom images, the limiting resolution of LOTUS-inVivo micro-CT scanner was measured about 2.7 µm and has been shown that it’s capable of resolving sizes greater than 12.5 µm. Also, we concluded that LOTUS-inVivo is capable of discriminating tissues with 3% differences in contrast relative to the background, for 1 mm bar size. Thus, the provided technical characteristics in this study have made LOTUS-inVivo as a suitable tool for small animal imaging.


Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 697-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret E. Collinson ◽  
Neil F. Adams ◽  
Steven R. Manchester ◽  
Gregory W. Stull ◽  
Fabiany Herrera ◽  
...  

Pyrite-permineralized fruits and seeds from the London Clay Formation (Ypresian; England) in the NHMUK are stored in silicone oil to retard decay processes. X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has revealed internal morphology for multiple holotypes (including severely cracked and encrusted specimens) scanned in the protective fluid. Silicone oil alone has a similar X-ray attenuation to parts of the specimens, causing minor uncertainty for digitally rendered surfaces, but key systematic characters are readily visualized. Further work is needed to optimize visualization of fine-scale cellular detail. Labelling and segmentation to visualize important structures is achievable with these micro-CT datasets. However, manual labelling of individual slices is required, and defining boundaries between features can be difficult due to differential pyritization and silicone oil permeation. Digital sections through specimens can be made in any orientation and digital locule casts can be produced for studies in virtual taphonomy. These achievements have been accomplished with minimal risk to specimens, which remained in silicone oil and were studied within the museum. The datasets provide a potentially permanent record of at-risk specimens, can be made widely available to researchers unable to visit the collections and to other interested parties, and they enable monitoring for future conservation.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret E. Collinson ◽  
Neil F. Adams ◽  
Steven R. Manchester ◽  
Gregory W. Stull ◽  
Fabiany Herrera ◽  
...  

Pyrite-permineralized fruits and seeds from the London Clay Formation (Ypresian, England) in the NHMUK are stored in silicone oil to retard decay processes. X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has revealed internal morphology for multiple holotypes (including severely cracked and encrusted specimens) scanned in the protective fluid. Silicone oil alone has a similar X-ray attenuation to parts of the specimens, causing minor uncertainty for digitally rendered surfaces, but key systematic characters are readily visualised. Further work is needed to optimise visualization of fine-scale cellular detail. Labelling and segmentation to visualise important structures is achievable with these micro-CT datasets. However, manual labelling of individual slices is required and defining boundaries between features can be difficult due to differential pyritization and silicone oil permeation. Digital sections through specimens can be made in any orientation and digital locule casts can be produced for studies in virtual taphonomy. These achievements have been accomplished with minimal risk to specimens, which remained in silicone oil and were studied within the museum. The datasets provide a potentially permanent record of at-risk specimens, can be made widely available to researchers unable to visit the collections and to other interested parties, and they enable monitoring for future conservation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Sittner ◽  
Jose R. A. Godinho ◽  
Axel D. Renno ◽  
Veerle Cnudde ◽  
Marijn Boone ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;Image based analytical tools in geoscience are indispensable for the characterization of minerals but most of them are 2D techniques, limited to the surface of a polished plane in a sample. X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) is becoming a common analysis technique in geoscience and provides direct 3D information of the internal structure of a sample. A major drawback of micro-CT in the characterization of minerals, however, is the lack of chemical information. There have been different approaches to obtain chemical data using micro-CT but most of them are time consuming and difficult to adapt to regular use.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Therefore we introduce a potential new analytical tool: Laboratory-based Spectral X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (Sp-CT). Results from a spectral imaging detector prototype, installed inside a TESCAN CoreTOM micro-CT scanner, will be shown. This new analytical technique enables to obtain both high resolution structural and chemical information in 3D. With this information, the mineral distribution inside unbroken rocks and particles can be identified and quantified.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Based on the transmitted energy spectrum of a sample, main elements can be distinguished and minerals classified. It is also possible to quantify heavy elements within particles of complex composition and the measured sample volume is significantly larger compared to conventional analytical 2D techniques. Furthermore, Sp-CT is non-destructive and does not require sample preparation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sp-CT will open exciting new possibilities for mineral analysis. With this new technique, the 3D properties of the particles can now be measured and used for example in process mineralogy simulations. This is a major improvement to current simulations that predominantly use less representative 2D or bulk particle properties. Moreover, the Sp-CT could potentially be used as an alternative technique for regular characterization of ore deposits and processed ores since more representative volumes can be analyzed in a fast manner relative to existing techniques.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This research is part of the upscaling project &amp;#8220;Resource Characterization: from 2D to 3D microscopy&amp;#8221; and has received funding from European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.&lt;/p&gt;


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