Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
NDT

Highest possible neutron imaging quality achieved at Phoenix NDT center

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson13th December 20193 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Phoenix Imaging Center
The Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, opened in October 2019 (Image: Phoenix Imaging Center)

Wisconsin, USA-based nuclear technology company Phoenix has demonstrated its capability to take ASTM Category I neutron radiographs at its new accelerator-based industrial radiography facility.

ASTM Category I images are the highest image quality level specified by ASTM E545, the gold standard for defining the quality of neutron radiographs.

The Phoenix Neutron Imaging Center (PNIC), which opened in October is able to provide neutron imaging to this standard without the use of a nuclear reactor using a compact particle accelerator-based system

Neutron imaging, also known as N-ray, is a form of radiographic inspection similar to X-ray imaging that can provide information and insight into an object’s internal structure that other non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques cannot. Neutron imaging is used to inspect products such as the turbine blades found in aircraft jet engines, energetic devices such as aircraft ejection mechanisms, spacecraft payload fairing separation mechanisms, and munitions.

Neutron imaging was first used as an industrial NDT technique in the 1950s and usually uses neutrons generated from nuclear reactors. However, increasing regulation and costs means many nuclear reactors have closed, limiting the availability of neutron inspection in the NDT community.

According to Phoenix, the ASTM Category I images represents the culmination of years of work by Phoenix’s engineers.

Evan Sengbusch, president of Phoenix said, “The ability to generate ultra-high-quality neutron images with a small, relatively low-cost, accelerator-based neutron imaging system is an industry game-changer.

“This achievement is analogous to the early use of compact x-ray generators in medical diagnostics over a century ago. It is a first step in making neutron imaging as ubiquitous as x-ray imaging is today.”

The company said it is now positioned to take on neutron imaging work put at risk by an aging nuclear reactor fleet and maintain the high quality and reliability levels required for a broad range of aerospace and defense components supplied to the government and commercial sectors.

Unlike a nuclear reactor, the Phoenix system can be built anywhere, making it possible for high-volume users of neutron imaging to have dedicated neutron imaging capabilities in-house.

The 10,000 square foot PNIC  that opened in October will provide neutron activation analysis, radiation effects testing, neutron (n-ray), and x-ray imaging. The company’s 50,000 square foot corporate headquarters, construction of which started in November this year, will also be located on the same site and will allow Phoenix to meet the increasing demand for accelerator systems and employ an estimated additional 50 engineers over the next several years.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleE175-E2 Jet makes maiden flight
Next Article Aerion Supersonic selects GKN Aerospace as AS2 supplier
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

Features

NDT: Robotics and software spur innovation

21st May 20258 Mins Read
Engine inspection
Features

A quick guide to nondestructive testing in aerospace

22nd April 202512 Mins Read
Defense

Extended Reality technology enables remote aircraft inspection

17th April 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025

NDT: Robotics and software spur innovation

21st May 2025

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.