Relevance and trends in materials science

Materials science plays a central role in the defense industry by contributing to the development of advanced materials. Relevant trends include lightweight construction, ballistic protection and sensing materials, energy storage, stealth technology, nanotechnology, and composites. Interdisciplinary research fosters innovative solutions, but ethical considerations are important in the development and application of these technologies to minimize harm and promote peace.

 

                                                     

Importance of materials testing in defense  

Materials testing plays a critical role in the defense industry. It ensures the safety and reliability of military systems, optimizes their performance, enables adaptation to new threats, and helps optimize costs. Materials testing is important for quality control and protection of the armed forces as well as their missions.    

Military systems must be extremely reliable and safe, as they are often used in critical situations. Materials testing ensures that the materials used can withstand the intended loads and will not fail, protecting human lives and material resources. Materials testing allows engineers to select the best materials for specific applications and improve the performance of weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment. This can help military systems become more efficient, faster, more durable, and more capable.  

 

Using X-ray technology and CT for materials testing  

  

X-ray technology and computed tomography (CT) are used in various applications in the defense and armaments sector for materials testing. Here are some areas where these technologies are important:  

Weld inspection
Detection of material defects
Identification of inclusions
Quality assurance in manufacturing and assembly
Research into new materials
Explosive material

The use of X-ray and CT technology enables non-destructive testing of materials, which is critical in many cases to ensure the integrity and quality of materials and components used in defense and defense systems. These technologies can minimize potential safety risks and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of military equipment.  

Application example: testing of solid rocket motors   

Solid rocket motors can experience various failure modes that can affect their performance and safety. Some common failure modes are:  

Blowholes: Blowholes are voids or pores in the solid fuel that are inclusions of gases during the manufacturing process.  

Cracks: Cracks can occur in the solid fuel or the rocket motor shell and can be caused by stresses or material fatigue.  

Delamination: Delamination refers to the detachment of material layers or structures in the rocket motor, which can lead to a reduction in structural integrity.  

All of this can lead to irregular combustion and consequent uneven thrust development and degradation of the projectile's trajectory. X-ray technology can be very helpful in detecting these failure modes in solid rocket motors. The use of X-rays can produce images of the internal structure of the rocket motor without the need for physical destruction of the motor. This allows for non-destructive examination and evaluation of the quality and integrity of the motor. X-ray inspection can provide high-resolution detail to determine the location, size, and shape of these defect images. This allows engineers to identify potential problems early and take appropriate action to ensure the safety and performance of the rocket motor.    

By using X-ray CT scans, it is even possible to create three-dimensional images of the internal structure of the motor. This allows for even more detailed analysis and a better evaluation of the structural integrity of the motor. Overall, X-ray technology provides an effective method for defect detection and quality control of solid rocket motors, optimizing their performance and safety.  

Challenges of materials testing in the defense industry  

  

X-ray inspection in the defense industry presents specific challenges, including secrecy and security, the size and complexity of the objects being inspected, radiation protection, simulation of real-world conditions, testing of composite materials, speed and efficiency, and achieving high detection limits. Nevertheless, X-ray inspection is essential because it provides nondestructive examination and helps ensure the quality, safety, and performance of military systems. Ongoing research and development are critical to meet these challenges and optimize inspection processes. 

Choosing the right partner for your testing system     

The quality control requirements of companies and materials laboratories in the defense industry vary widely and can be broadly divided into three categories:     

Suppliers processing lower volumes require manual systems for small batches or single inspections. Here, the ECO H-Series is the perfect system family for smaller components.  Medium volume inspection needs require more automation of 2D inspection, CNC systems, and batch loading. Automated data processing has become more important.    

In the case of extremely high volumes, for example in series testing, high-performance inline systems with automatic evaluation are required. In this way, the shortest cycle times can be achieved.   

Another application is high-precision computed tomography for metrological or forensic applications. These measuring machines must be housed in an air-conditioned measuring room.    

Selecting the right system can be complex, and a good decision must weigh many parameters such as size, speed, cost, etc. Contact our product specialists for further advice  

  

Contact us today   

Improve the quality and safety of your components with our state-of-the-art X-ray systems and CT systems. Contact us today to learn more about our material inspection solutions. Our team is always available to answer your questions and develop a customized solution for your needs. 

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Nikita Fedorov, Gobal Sales Channel Manager

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What is going on at VCxray

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VisiConsult acquiring majority stake in CT specialist diondo

In a significant move for the industry, VisiConsult X-ray Systems & Solutions GmbH announced today that it has signed an agreement that allows it to acquire a majority stake in the CT specialist diondo GmbH. This strategic cooperation will significantly increase the capabilities of both companies.

VisiConsult acquiring majority stake in CT specialist diondo

In a significant move for the industry, VisiConsult X-ray Systems & Solutions GmbH announced today that it has signed an agreement that allows it to acquire a majority stake in the CT specialist diondo GmbH. This strategic cooperation will significantly increase the capabilities of both companies.

 

Image 1 L.t.r. Oliver Rokitta, diondo; Martin Münker, diondo; Hajo Schulenburg, VisiConsult; Lennart Schulenburg, VisiConsult.

Hajo Schulenburg, founder of VisiConsult, said both companies share similar values: “From the strategic to the operational level, our companies have much in common. This exciting new chapter offers significant growth opportunities for everybody. Combining our strong market presence with diondo’s industry-leading CT products will bring tangible value to our customers.”

With almost 30 years of experience in the development and production of industrial computed tomography systems, diondo is a leading manufacturer and service provider. Its innovative system and software solutions for non-destructive testing and metrology are used all over the world. It has established a comprehensive product line for high-end CT applications and a reputable global customer base.
VisiConsult, through its VCxray division, will add the diondo product line to its extensive portfolio of existing products. The high precision CT systems are a perfect completion to the budget ECO line, the sophisticated PRO line, and the customized X line. This allows customers to choose from a broad variety of solutions depending on the inspection task.

Martin Münker, Managing Director at diondo alludes to the natural harmony between the two companies: “Companies that work well together can grow together. Our strengths are complementary, and we see strong opportunities to add value to each other’s operations and products.”

Jason Robbins, Head of Sales at VisiConsult, sees immediate benefits for customers: “diondo’s CT technologies are a perfect addition to our own, wide-ranging portfolio. By adding world-class engineers and developers of these technologies, our customers will be able to partner with us to build virtually anything. From the simplest systems to the most advanced and automated solutions – just about anything is possible. This will allow them to grow their own operations from film to DR to CT and beyond through a unified and cohesive approach.”

diondo will become the Centre of Excellence for CT Technology within VisiConsult. And close cooperation at the developmental level will ensure the seamless integration of diondo into VisiConsult’s x.OS ecosystem. “We are delighted to welcome our new diondo colleagues to the Visi-Family. Together we can look forward to a bright future where we can push the limits of what’s possible,” says Lennart Schulenburg, General Manager of VisiConsult.

More details and information on this new deal between VisiConsult and diondo will be revealed in the coming weeks.

 

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