3D X-ray microtomography
X-ray microtomography (XMT, XCT, MicroCT) is a non-destructive technique for 3D imaging and characterization of materials, including minerals, rocks, metals, composites and wood, with sub-micron resolution. From the acquired 3D data it is possible to make quantitative analysis of internal features such as porosity, cracks, grains, fibers etc., as well as determine material deformation and strain.
XMT is a non-destructive technique that do not require any sample preparation. The sample is placed in the system and the scan is started. The result describes the 3D microstructure of the material, based on its density. After a scan, the same sample can be tested using other complimentary techniques (such as SEM), or scanned repeatedly during in-situ loading using XMT.
Equipment
The in-situ capability allows studies of the 3D microstructure and how it responds to mechanical and thermal load.
The in-situ load stage (Deben CT5000TEC) have 5 kN compression/tension load capacity as well as temperature control in the range -20/+160 °C. In addition, a 500N load cell is available for studies of soft samples.

- uneable detector system consisting of multiple resolution- and field-of-view pairings (analogous to a light microscope).
- Both absorption- and phase-contrast imaging capability
- Automated batch scanning (see image)
- Dual gpu cuda based reconstruction
- Dual energy imaging capability
- In-situ interface kit
- Granite base vibrational isolation
- Thermal environment stabilization
- X-ray radiation safety standards compliance: UL/CSA 61010-1, SEMI S2-0712, SEMI S8-0712, CE.
- Registered and approved by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.

Spatial resolution, 10% MTF | 700 nm |
Minimum voxel size | 70 nm |
Tube voltage range | 30-160 kV |
Maximum output | 10 W |
Detector, objectives | 0.4x, 4x, 20x |
Detector, camera unit | 2Kx2K, 16 bit, CCD camera. |
Max. field of view (BF, FOV) | 50 mm (wide field mode: 90 mm) |
Max. sample size | 300 mm |
Max. sample weight | 15 kg |
Dimensions, total system | 2082, 1720, 1064 mm (W,H,D:) |
Weight, total system | 2468 kg |

Simple specimen exchange mechanism with vitreous glassy carbon support tube, 1.5mm wall thickness (3mm in beam path).
Max load capacity | 5kN (compression/tension) |
Temperature range | -20°C to +160°C |
Available load cells | 500N, 5kN |
Maximum extension | 10mm (15-5mm compression, 10-20mm tensile) |
Dimensions | 117mm diameter (carbon fiber tube 60mm), 285mm height. |
Stage weight | 4.0kg |
3D image analysis enables a quantitative characterisation of the reconstructed 3D microstructure obtained by x-ray microtomography. This allows us to identify features of special interest, such as grains, pores and cracks, and form various statistical measures of the microstructure, including grain size distribution and porosity, which in the next stage can be related to the different load states.
Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) is used to measure the three-dimensional deformation and strain in the material due to an applied load. The analysis is carried out based on two sets of data from XMT, captured before and after deformation. By repeating this procedure a full load cycle with several intermediate states can be followed.
Access and use
We welcome all with interest in using this system to contact us External link..
Below you will find a few different access models:
- Collaboration projects (joint applications and publications)
- Commercial access, industry and business (confidential results, no publications)
- Different combinations of the above (for example: industrial assignments where the results can be published)
We do have to charge for the access time, in order to cover the service and operation costs. The size of this fee depend on the access mode and the scan time, which in its turn depend on parameters such as sample size, density, and spatial resolution. Therefore, in order to make a good estimate of the total cost, we first need to discuss the project with you.
Contact us, and we will take it from there!
Contact
Fredrik Forsberg
- Senior Lecturer
- 0920-493085
- fredrik.forsberg@ltu.se
- Fredrik Forsberg
Henrik Lycksam
- Senior Research Engineer
- 0920-492816
- henrik.lycksam@ltu.se
- Henrik Lycksam
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