X-ray Thickness Measurements
X-rays provide an efficient and effective method for non-destructive testing of materials. X-rays are widely used in many industries for detection and the measurement of material thickness. A common X-ray method for thickness measurement is radiography.
Radiography allows for the accurate measurement of material thickness with minimal interruption to on-going operations. The method is non-contact, non-destructive and allows for thickness measurements to specified accuracy. This makes it possible to accurately measure the thickness of materials in dynamic or hard-to-reach locations, such as rotating machine parts, tanks, pressure vessels and pipes.
The basis of X-ray radiographic thickness measurement is simple. X-ray radiation is transmitted through the material and absorbed by an imaging device, such as an X-ray film. The amount of radiation that is absorbed is a function of the material thickness. A simple calculation of the thickness can be made by measuring the amount of X-ray radiation absorbed by the material. The accuracy of this method is dependent upon the material properties and the energy of the X-ray beam.
When making thickness measurements with X-ray radiography, attention must be paid to the beam energy and the material properties. For example, certain materials may be more X-ray opaque and therefore may absorb more X-ray radiation. The thickness of the material must also be within a certain range as the accuracy of thickness measurements decreases as the material thickness increases.
It is beneficial to use a system designed specifically for X-ray thickness measurements when making X-ray radiographic thickness measurements. This system should be designed to be able to accurately measure the radiation emitted by an X-ray source and the radiation absorbed by the material. This system should also be able to adjust the exposure parameters such as exposure time, voltage, and current to best suit the material being tested.
X-ray thickness measurements provide a fast, accurate and non-destructive method for measuring the thickness of materials. When performing a thickness measurement, careful attention should be paid to the beam energy and the material properties. It is also beneficial to use a system specifically designed for X-ray thickness measurements.
