Neutron scattering techniques as a tool for nondestructive testing

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 SiCf /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.