Title: Neutron scattering techniques as a tool for nondestructive testing

Authors: G. Apostolopoulos, K. Mergia, A.G. Youtsos

Addresses: Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', P. Grigoriou & Neapoleos Str., GR15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece. ' Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', P. Grigoriou & Neapoleos Str., GR15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece. ' Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, National Centre for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', P. Grigoriou & Neapoleos Str., GR15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece

Abstract: Neutron scattering techniques such as neutron diffraction, Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and Neutron Reflectivity (NREF) are very powerful tools for the nondestructive study of materials. The corresponding experimental facilities at a Greek research reactor and demonstrative experiments of their employment in the nondestructive testing of materials are presented. Neutron diffraction was applied in the study of irradiation effects on SiC_f /SiC composites in view of their application to future fusion reactors. SiC materials are important in the aerospace industry and their oxidation at high temperatures was investigated by NREF. Finally, a SANS study of the precipitation of the aerospace Al-8.9at%Li alloy is presented.

Keywords: neutron scattering; neutron diffraction; neutron reflectivity; small-angle neutron scattering; SANS; precipitation kinetics; oxidation; nondestructive testing; Greece; research reactors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.028430

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.1, pp.19 - 33

Published online: 17 Sep 2009 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article