Preliminary hyperspectral neutron radiography of binder jet 3D printed and melt infiltrated Si–SiC

Abstract

The preliminary results of hyperspectral neutron radiography of Si–SiC made with binder jet additive manufacturing, subsequent carbon addition, and silicon melt infiltration are presented. The samples were measured in the processing states before and after the melt infiltration to determine if neutrons would help characterize the microstructure to better understand the melt infiltration process. Theoretical Bragg edges were calculated for comparison with the radiographic results. The changes in the Bragg edges from pre- to post-infiltrated reaction-bonded SiC were evident, that could be used to address the differences in microstructures. The preliminary results presented in this study demonstrated that neutron Bragg-edge imaging is possible with Si–SiC reaction-bonded ceramics and can help determine the microstructure of melt infiltrated samples.