X ray computed tomography for casting demonstration

Abstract : Computed tomography (CT) has been applied to cast products demonstrating benefits to product development, dimensional measurements and critical region evaluation. The CTAD program has produced data in a number of reports demonstrating the quantitative measurement capability of CT and its advantages for castings. CT is a measurement tool which can enable greater use of casting by assuring quality in complex structural applications. CT allows an engineering evaluation of castings for a number of criteria such as internal defects, porosity content, three-dimensional location of features and, internal and external dimensions. As casting complexity and part value increases, the application of CT increases in cost effectiveness relative to other technologies. For critical regions of a casting, CT can be superior to radiography for detail sensitivity and relatively inexpensive. Educational material is needed to aid engineers in understanding the applicability and benefits of CT to their problems. Example stories have been used by the CTAD program to demonstrate the areas of CT application and cost benefits. Readers of the case study stories are able to extrapolate from the examples to their problems and evaluate the benefits that CT may provide them.... Computed Tomography (CT), Aluminum, Titanium, Casting, Reinforcement, Economics, Nondestructive evaluation, Flaw characterization.