On the application of X-ray microtomography in the field of materials science.

The principle of the tomography technique and the different possible set-up s, which can be used to obtain medium-(10 mum) and high- (1 mum) resolution , three-dimensional, non-destructive images, are shown in this paper. Illus trations are made of the applications of the technique in the field of mate rials science. Examples are given for medium-resolution images of metallic foams and model metal matrix composites that are reinforced with spherical particles. High-resolution examples are shown for aluminium alloys. For low -absorbent materials we show that the phase contrast obtained using synchro tron radiation can provide a valuable solution. The quantitative use of the se images, coupled with in-situ tensile tests or used for the simple analys is of the initial microstructure of several structural materials, is also d escribed.