Об устройстве для автоматизированного сжатия образцов совместно со съемкой рентгеновского компьютерного томографа

Abstract

Non-destructive testing methods are widely employed to analyze complexly structured materials and constructions, with X-ray computed tomography (CT) standing out due to its ability to generate a digital twin of the specimen as a three-dimensional model. This approach facilitates the detection of manufacturing defects and deviations from design specifications. However, during operation, certain defects in heterogeneous materials may develop, and evaluating the risk areas for such defects using CT alone is challenging without external intervention. To overcome this limitation, a specialized device is being developed that enables mechanical testing to be performed directly inside the CT chamber. The objective of this study is to develop and describe a device that ensures reproducible application of load to the specimens during CT scanning. In this research, a loading system is proposed that allows for consistent uniaxial compression tests within the CT environment. Furthermore, a novel method for tracking optical density throughout the specimen is introduced and validated to assess segmentation accuracy. Experimental results demonstrated that the force discrepancy between the developed device and a universal testing machine did not exceed 2%, while the differences in the measured values obtained by the device versus the universal testing machine remained within 3%. Additionally, to verify the optical density tracking method, data from previously published studies were employed, showing that the median segmentation error did not exceed 5%. In conclusion, the proposed device facilitates simultaneous mechanical testing and CT scanning, thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the mechanical properties of the samples. The study also discusses potential improvements in both the device design and its software to further expand its functionality, ultimately paving the way for more integrated and precise evaluations of structural materials in various applications