Evaluation of Rock Properties and Rock Structures in the µ-range with sub-µ X-ray Computed Tomography

Abstract

High resolution X-ray micro CT has become a very powerful tool for 3D analysis of core and rock samples. The results can be obtained in a non-destructive way and yields to conclusions for a better understanding of rock structures, mineral composition and fluid flow in the pore space just to name a few. Tendencies of modellers to analyse rock properties at scales going down to µm and even nm forces the industry to develop appropriate equipment for sub-µ applications. The examples chosen in this paper emphasize the capability of the used X-ray CT systems to fulfil modellers? requirements and cover different fields of investigation like reservoir rocks, volcanology and palaeontology with resolutions down below 1 µm. The described method enables geo-scientists to receive 3D models of their rock samples at sub-µ scale with extraordinary contrast resolution and opens them not only new possibilities in modelling research but also can speed up all further rock analysis by properly choosing slices for thin sectioning as an example. Furthermore not only palaeontologists will appreciate that they are able to virtually cut their valuable samples for visualization without any physical destruction at all.