Behnsen Julia G, Black Kate, Houghton James E, Worden Richard H
School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK.
Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK.
Materials (Basel). 2023 Feb 1;16(3):1259. doi: 10.3390/ma16031259.
Particle size and morphology analysis is a problem common to a wide range of applications, including additive manufacturing, geological and agricultural materials' characterisation, food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Here, we review the use of microfocus X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) for particle analysis. We give an overview of different sample preparation methods, image processing protocols, the morphology parameters that can be determined, and types of materials that are suitable for analysis of particle sizes using X-ray CT. The main conclusion is that size and shape parameters can be determined for particles larger than approximately 2 to 3 μm, given adequate resolution of the X-ray CT setup. Particles composed of high atomic number materials (Z > 40) require careful sample preparation to ensure X-ray transmission. Problems occur when particles with a broad range of sizes are closely packed together, or when particles are fused (sintered or cemented). The use of X-ray CT for particle size analysis promises to become increasingly widespread, offering measurements of size, shape, and porosity of large numbers of particles within one X-ray CT scan.
颗粒尺寸和形态分析是广泛应用中常见的问题，包括增材制造、地质和农业材料表征、食品制造以及制药领域。在此，我们综述了微焦点X射线计算机断层扫描（X射线CT）在颗粒分析中的应用。我们概述了不同的样品制备方法、图像处理协议、可确定的形态参数以及适合使用X射线CT分析颗粒尺寸的材料类型。主要结论是，在X射线CT设备具有足够分辨率的情况下，可以确定尺寸大于约2至3μm的颗粒的尺寸和形状参数。由高原子序数材料（Z>40）组成的颗粒需要仔细的样品制备以确保X射线透射。当尺寸范围广泛的颗粒紧密堆积在一起，或者颗粒融合（烧结或胶结）时会出现问题。X射线CT用于颗粒尺寸分析有望越来越广泛地应用，能够在一次X射线CT扫描中测量大量颗粒的尺寸、形状和孔隙率。
