Non-destructive Materials Characterization using Ionizing Radiation

This chapter discusses the physical principles and the applications of non-destructive materials characterization (NDMC) techniques using X-rays, neutronsNeutrons, electrons, and positrons. Various means of generation and detection of X-rays are presented followed by the basics of their interaction with materials. These interactions lead to attenuation and diffraction, which are elucidated by examples from different metallurgical and material science applications of NDMC. The basics of X-ray diffraction and their applications for the measurement of elastic stresses at different length scales and of textures are discussed as well. The specific differences of the interaction of neutronsNeutrons with materials as compared to X-rays in radiography and scattering studies are worked out. Applications of electron and positron annihilation for NDMC are also discussed.