USE OF DIFFERENT X-RAY TOMOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS FOR CULTURAL-HERITAGE SAMPLES

X-ray tomography is a well-known non-destructive form of testing. Internal parts of a sample may be analysed without destroying them. This is important for several reasons. First; the overall state of conservation of the manufacts can be determined. Otherwise it would be based only on the external surface state. Secondly, the manufacturing techniques can be identified and thirdly, a more precise plan of restoration can be decided upon. Iii this paper the X-ray tomography principles are described and the principal applications of this technique to cultural-heritage samples reported. Three different tomographic systems were developed and tested.