Welcome to the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility!
The KU Leuven XCT Core Facility offers X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) infrastructure and services to study the internal structure and behavior of materials and biological tissues at different length scales.
Our Infrastructure
At KU Leuven XCT Core Facility we have an extensive infrastructure of XCT scanners, in-situ stages & software.
TeScan Unitom HR
The Unitom HR is a modular and flexible sub-micron resolution XCT system. The system aims at making high resolution and high contrast images.
TeScan Unitom XL
The Unitom XL is a multi-resolution micro-CT, optimized for high throughput and contrast, diverse sample types, and flexibility for your research.
GE Nanotom S
The Nanotom S with its high-power nanofocus tube and stabilised ultra-precision mechanics invades the sub-micron range in voxel size.
GE Nanotom M
The Nanotom M with its high-power nanofocus tube and stabilised ultra-precision mechanics invades the sub-micron range in voxel size.
Bruker SkyScan 1172
The Skyscan 1172 is a microfocus desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples and a plug-and-play scanning experience.
Bruker SkyScan 1272
The Skyscan 1272 is a high-resolution desktop X-ray microtomograph, optimized for small samples.
Nikon XT H 450
The 450 kV device offers precise dimensional metrology and quality control for very large and dense components.
Nikon XT H 225 ST
The 225 kV system offers high power combined with high measurement accuracy suitable to a vast range of materials and sample sizes.
KU Leuven XCT Core Facility Research lines
Nondestructive testing (NDT), quality control, and the study of material behaviour and its functional properties under specified environmental conditions, aiming for production process and material optimization. Covering a resolution range of 400 nm up to several hundred micrometers to unravel the internal structure, morphology, microstructural changes or damage development in materials based on high quality 3D and 4D (time-resolved) XCT images.
Application fields: complex materials, composites, geopolymers, agricultural products and food, dental materials, building materials and biological tissues. Scientists using the equipment and software of the KU Leuven XCT Core Facility profit from the synergy that the collaboration with experienced users in the field provides.
Featured image
New in-house developed 10 kN uniaxial loading stage…
Large‑stroke, high‑precision mechanical testing platform for quantitative in-situ 4D-XCT Material testing. The loading stage is operated via a dedicated, user‑friendly graphical user interface, enabling intuitive control of loading protocols and seamless integration with in‑situ XCT experiments. Shown here applied to cementitious aerogel composites.
News
Accuracy of manual vs. motorized trapezium reaming during trapeziometacarpal prosthetic arthroplasty
Abstract We compared accuracy of hand and motorized reaming for trapezial cavity preparation in thumb trapeziometacarpal ball-and-socket arthroplasty. A cannulated 9 mm conical reamer (Touch, KeriMedical,
Fines-induced shear band thickening in gap-graded soils: evidence from digital image and volume correlations
Abstract Shear band thickness is a critical parameter governing strain localisation and post-peak strength degradation in granular soils. However, its relationship with fines content and
Influence of tape configuration on damage initiation in sheet-moulding compounds investigated by in situ X-ray computed tomography, digital volume correlation, and principal component analysis
Abstract Carbon fibre sheet-moulding compounds (CFRTP-SMCs) offer an attractive balance of mechanical performance, manufacturability and cost, yet their highly heterogeneous mesostructure makes damage initiation difficult
Composites in biaxial cruciform tests: effect of geometry on volumetric strain evolution using X-ray computed tomography and digital volume correlation
Abstract Accurately characterising deformation in fibre-reinforced composites requires specimen geometries that both promote failure within the gauge zone and enable high-quality full-field strain measurements. These
Stochastic full-scale pore network generation for porous building materials: case study on ceramic brick
Abstract – Building envelopes commonly comprise porous building materials, with their functional performance governed by their microstructure, including the underlying pore structure. In recent years,
Strain mapping around fibre breaks in single- and multi-fibre composites: quantifying microscale deformation and damage via digital volume correlation
Abstract In this study, digital volume correlation (DVC) is applied to high-resolution synchrotron tomograms of glass fibre-reinforced epoxy composites, in both single- and multi-fibre configurations,
Why Choose Us
Infrastructure
We offer an extensive infrastructure of XCT scanners, in-situ stages & software.
Team
We have a team of experts ready to help you. We are located just outside Leuven, easily accessible by car, or public transport. Our specialists aim to provide a seamless service.