Industry applications of neutron scattering
Shu Yan Zhang*, Jianbo Gao
Centre of Excellence for Advanced Materials, Dongguan, Guangdong-523808, China
EXTENDED ABSTRACT: Neutron Scattering is a technique to study the microstructure information of materials. It can tell us "where is the atom and what does atom do". The advantages of the neutrons are as follows: wavelength matching the lattice spacing of materials, strong penetration, magnetic property, sensitivity to light elements and isotopes, and gentle to samples. Neutron scattering supplies a testing platform for industrial applications, providing irreplaceable support for material development and nondestructive testing. Neutron scattering includes experimental technologies such as neutron inelastic scattering, neutron reflection, neutron diffraction, neutron imaging, small-angle neutron scattering, etc. For engineering material applications, typical application techniques are neutron imaging, neutron diffraction, and small-angle neutron scattering. Neutron imaging can see the internal structure of objects by using the attenuation of neutron beams when penetrating objects. Small-angle scattering can tell the shape, size, and distribution of nanoscale defects, agglomeration, precipitates, and nanoparticles in materials or components. Through the accurate characterization of crystal lattice spacing, neutron diffraction can measure the elastic strain of the materials nondestructively. As an ideal tool for the in-depth study of stress characterization, it is often used to evaluate structural integrity and lifetime. Typical applications include residual stress measurements, micromechanical properties studies, industrial manufacturing process simulation, texture measurement, creep measurement, etc. For the engineering applications, there are some tendencies as follows. The sample environments become complex and high-performance, including temperature and mechanics. The experimental operation is more intelligent, including automatic positioning and measurement. More neutron combination technologies are applied, such as neutron diffraction, neutron imaging, small-angle scattering, etc. And more combination techniques of the non-neutron technologies are applied, such as XRD, synchrotron radiation technology, numerical simulation, etc. Looking forward to the future, the applications of neutron scattering will help to promote materials research and equipment manufacturing upgrading in the industry field.
Shu Yan Zhang has completed his Ph.D. from Oxford University and Postdoctoral studies from ISIS. She is the Dean of the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Materials. She has been engaged in the application of neutron and X-ray diffraction to the residual stress analysis and micromechanical properties of engineering materials. And has published more than 100 academic papers. She is the editor of the European Physical Journal Plus, a visiting professor of the Open University, scientific committee member of the STFC, advisory committee member of MECA SENS, academic committee member of national residual stress, and vice president of Guangdong Association of Young scientists.