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Gamma ray transmission technique applied to porous phase characterization of low-porosity ceramic samples

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to apply gamma ray transmission (GRT), a non destructive technique, in the structural characterization of low-porosity ceramic samples. GRT technique is based on the attenuation that photons of an incident radiation beam undergo when passing through the material. With this technique the porosity of alumina (Al2O3) and boron carbide (B4C) ceramic samples, was determined. The equipment employed comprises a 241Am (Americium) gamma ray source (59.6 keV and 100 mCi), a 50.8 mm × 50.8 mm NaI (Tl) scintillation detector coupled to a standard Gamma Ray Transmission system and a micrometric automated table for sample movement. The porosity profile of the samples shows a homogeneous porosity distribution, within the spatial resolution of the employed transmission system. The mean porosity values determined for Al2O3 and B4C were 17.8 (±1.3 %) and 3.87 (±0.43 %), respectively. Statistical treatment of these results was performed and showed that the mean porosity values determined by Gamma Ray Transmission technique are the same as those supplied by the manufacturer.

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Abbreviations

GRT:

Gama rays transmission

Al2O3 :

Alumina

B4C:

Boron carbide

Φ:

Porosity

Μ :

Linear attenuation coefficient

ξ:

Mass attenuation coefficient

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Meios Porosos e Propriedades Termofísicas (LMPT), PGMAT/EMC, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, Florianópolis, 8040-900, Brazil

    Anderson Camargo Moreira & Celso Peres Fernandes

  2. Laboratório de Física Nuclear Aplicada (LFNA), Departamento de Física, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, P.O. Box 6001, Paraná, 86051-980, Brazil

    Carlos Roberto Appoloni

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  1. Anderson Camargo Moreira
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  2. Carlos Roberto Appoloni
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  3. Celso Peres Fernandes
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Correspondence to Anderson Camargo Moreira.

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Moreira, A.C., Appoloni, C.R. & Fernandes, C.P. Gamma ray transmission technique applied to porous phase characterization of low-porosity ceramic samples. Mater Struct 46, 629–637 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-012-9921-3

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