What is the difference between AMI and X-ray?
AMI and x-ray are complementary techniques that are both frequently found in the same laboratories. They have important differences with regards to what they reveal in a sample. X-rays can be used to see inside a sample based upon material density differences. Dense materials are more opaque to x-radiation and penetration is more limited through metals compared with ceramics or polymers. Since air is not absorbing delaminations, cracks and disbonds cannot be seen unless there is sufficient physical separation of materials. Radiography operates in a through transmission mode that gives a composite image of the entire sample thickness. Radiation from an x- ray source may cause damage or random electrical errors to occur in certain semiconductor devices if they are placed too close to the source for an extended period of time during inspection.
