X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a very powerful technique that provides, nondestructively, direct access to the three-dimensional morphology of a specimen. Thanks to continuous developments of the technique, image quality and equipment performance are constantly improving in laboratories and at large scale facilities. The recent emergence of radiation from 4th generation of synchrotron light sources push those limits even further. The recent EBS upgrade program at the ESRF- The European synchrotron- offers a unique combination of beamlines to perform studies with a multi-scale approach from the micro to the nano scale. The high brilliance of the X-ray beam combined with new fast detectors allow unprecedented combination of spatial and temporal resolution for 4D imaging.

First, the new capabilities offered by the ESRF at the micro-scale will be summarized. Specificities and performances of the phase contrast X-ray nano-imaging technique available at ID16A [1-2] and ID16B [3] beamlines will be detailed. And, the new in situ 4D imaging tool [4] developed on the ID16B beamline enabling dynamic processes at the nano-scale will be described.

Several examples on light metals will illustrate the mentioned possibilities. New metallic structures obtained by AM will be revealed [5]. Special attention will be paid to the growth of cavities [6- 7] and microstructure evolution as well as the possibility to study self-healing materials [8].

[1] F. Villar et al., Synchrotron Radiation News, 31 (5) (2018), 9-14.
[2] J.C. Da Silva et al., Proc. SPIE, 10391 (2017), 1039106–1.
[3] G. Martínez-Criado, et al. J. Synchr. Radiat., 23 (2015), 344.
[4] J. Villanova et al., Materials Today, 20 (2017), 354.
[5] M. Buttard et al., Additive manufacturing, 61 (2023), 103313.
[6] R. Kumar et al., Acta Mat., 166 (2019), 18-27.
[7] R. Kumar et al., Acta Mat., 228 (2022), 117760.
[8] M. Arseenko et al., Acta Materialia, 238 (2022), 118241.