Investigation of the correlation between radiographic image quality and surface measurement quality of XCT using frequency response analysis

X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is developing into a dimensional metrology tool. However, its quality control remains challenging due to the unknown correlation between radiographic image quality and surface measurement quality. This paper investigates this correlation by comparing the modulation transfer function (MTF) of radiographic image with the surface amplitude transfer function (SATF). Results indicate that the limit of measurable surface scale can be predicted by MTF10%. While the shape of the filtering effect on XCT measured surface can be predicted from MTF, the measurement error from this effect cannot be predicted due to the influence of surface determination.