Quantitative Crack Analysis using Indirect Neutron Radiography and Neutron Activation Analysis with Contrast Enhancement Agents

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of infiltration and washing methods to develop a quantitative metric for crack features using indirect neutron radiography and neutron activation analysis. A gadolinium contrast agent enhances the visibility of crack features in digitally processed neutron radiographs. Neutron activation analysis of crack infiltrants using dysprosium as a surrogate for gadolinium directly measures the amount of infiltrant in crack features.