Novel neutron imaging techniques for materials engineering: phase, strain and isotropic mapping at the Spallation Neutron Source

Neutron radiography and computed tomography are routinely used for non-destructive testing of materials ranging from metals such as steel, advanced alloys such as Inconel, energy materials such as batteries and fuel cells, nuclear materials such as cladding and fuel rods, additively manufactured objects, etc. Latest novel neutron imaging capabilities include the measurements of strain, phase and/or isotopic distributions in these materials. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently built the VENUS neutron imaging facility which is optimized to perform these unique measurements. This manuscript briefly describes VENUS, provides examples of typical measurements acquired at the facility and explains the different modes of accessing the capabilities and performing non-destructive testing.