Survey of contrasts of polymers under a high-contrast X-ray computerized tomography

Contrasts of the polymer materials under a high contrast X-ray computerized tomography (XCT) are comprehensively investigated. We developed a high contrast XCT, and demonstrated its capabilities to polymer systems, such as polymer blends. Then we got a hypothesis that the pixel values of the cross-sectional image obtained by XCT agree with the X-ray absorption coefficient at 15 keV. This hypothesis is intensively examined by using various polymers. Consequently, we propose an empirical criterion that 0.1 cm−1 difference in the X-ray absorption coefficients at 15 keV is necessary to distinguish the polymers under XCT. This criterion is also confirmed in the polymer blend systems.