Rotating X-ray Anode Partial Recrystallization

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Solution Overview

Problem

X-ray rotary anodes with fully recrystallized structures face issues with thermal stability, mechanical strength, and surface roughening due to large grain sizes, leading to reduced service life and radiation yield under high temperature and mechanical loads.

Innovation Solution

A rotary X-ray anode produced by powder metallurgy with a carrier body made of molybdenum or a molybdenum-based alloy and a focal track made of tungsten or a tungsten-based alloy, featuring a non-recrystallized or partially recrystallized structure to achieve a fine-grained, high-strength, and high-hardness surface that remains stable under electron beam exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the focal track and carrier body are produced with a fully recrystallized structure, then the structure is stable against subsequent structural changes, but the grain sizes become large leading to surface roughening and reduced strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies controlled heat treatment parameters (temperature and time) to achieve a partially recrystallized state rather than full recrystallization. By optimizing the heat treatment regime, the patent obtains a fine-grained structure with area fraction of recrystallized structure between 5-90%, which maintains structural stability while preventing surface roughening and preserving strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a non-uniform microstructure with different degrees of recrystallization in different regions. The focal track and carrier body have area fractions of recrystallized structure within 5-90%, creating a gradient structure that optimizes both surface quality and mechanical properties locally while maintaining overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the focal track and carrier body are produced with a fully recrystallized structure, then the structure is stable against subsequent structural changes, but the strength and hardness are reduced making the material susceptible to plastic deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes heat treatment parameters to achieve partial recrystallization (5-90% area fraction) instead of full recrystallization. This parameter control retains a significant portion of the deformed fine-grained structure, maintaining high strength and hardness while providing sufficient structural stability for high-temperature and high-stress applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite microstructure consisting of both recrystallized and deformed regions. This composite structure combines the stability of recrystallized grains with the strength of deformed fine-grained regions, achieving both structural stability and mechanical strength simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If special alloys and atomic or particulate impurities are added to increase strength, then high strength and hardness are achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier body strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high strength and hardness through controlled heat treatment parameters and microstructure optimization rather than through complex alloying. By controlling the area fraction of recrystallized structure and grain size, the patent obtains the required mechanical properties using conventional powder metallurgy and heat treatment processes, avoiding the need for special alloys or impurity additions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The anode achieves a high dose yield and long service life with improved thermal conductivity and ductility, maintaining a smooth surface and preventing crack formation, even under high-power and high-speed conditions.

Implementation Method 1

A large part of the energy of the electron beam is converted into heat in the rotating X-ray anode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the carrier body must ensure effective heat dissipation of the heat released at the point of impact of the electron beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3109889B1Rotating anode
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 PLANSEE SE
  • EP3109889B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP3109889B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4D
  • EP3109889B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a rotating X-ray anode (10) comprising a support body (14) and a firing track (16) formed on the support body (14). The support body (14) and the firing track (16) are manufactured as a composite by powder metallurgy; the support body (14) is made of molybdenum or a molybdenum-based alloy, and the firing track (16) is made of tungsten or a tungsten-based alloy. In the subsequently heat-treated rotating X-ray anode (10), at least a section of the firing track (16) is present in a non-recrystallized and/or partially recrystallized structure.