X-ray tube

Overview
X-ray technology is used across medical, security, industrial inspection, food inspection and measurement systems. We manufacture custom X-ray tube components from refractory materials designed for the tight tolerances, thermal loads and vacuum compatibility required by professional X-ray systems.

Your advantages

• REACH- and RoHS-compliant materials
• Design optimisation using finite element analysis (FEA)
• Customer-specific production procedures and lifecycle management
• 100% product testing and full traceability
• Supply of ready-to-install high-vacuum components

Anodes
We supply full-metal rotating anodes and rotating anodes with graphite bodies, copper-backed stationary anodes, and linear anodes. Typical materials: molybdenum alloys (e.g. TZM), molybdenum‑hafnium carbide (MHC), MoNb bodies, focal tracks of tungsten and tungsten‑rhenium (powder‑metallurgical or VPS), and potassium‑doped tungsten (WVM) for back‑cast anodes.

Products and product features

• Metal and graphite anodes (rotating, stationary, linear)
• Integrated anode shafts and stem components (forging, soldering, friction welding)
• Copper‑backed anodes for enhanced heat removal
• Linear anodes with soldered focal tracks
• TiO2‑Al2O3 and other surface treatments to improve high‑temperature emission
• Anti‑dust coatings to reduce particle emission from graphite
• Powder‑metallurgical and VPS focal tracks in W and WRe

Cathodes and related components
Supply of cathode semi‑finished products (potassium‑doped tungsten WVM / W‑Non‑Sag / AKS), forged TZM secondary electron interceptors, cathode holders/arms and focusing heads in molybdenum and nickel‑base alloys. Cathode assemblies can be joined with ceramic insulators in single soldering steps.

Drive components
Robust drive parts for high‑resolution devices (general X‑ray to CT): rotors, spiral‑groove bearing parts (liquid‑metal bearings), shafts, nuts, washers and heat shields. Materials include molybdenum, tungsten, copper‑containing alloys and iron‑based materials. Joining methods: soldering, friction welding, electron beam welding.

Shieldings and filters
W and tungsten heavy‑metal materials (DENSIMET®) for shielding and beam collimation provide lead‑free alternatives meeting RoHS criteria and ensure radiation is limited to required areas.

Manufacturing technologies & processes

• Precision laser cutting and EDM
• Copper back‑casting for copper‑backed anodes and rotors
• Punching, rolling, bending and deep drawing for shielding parts
• Soldering, electron beam welding, friction welding
• High‑precision machining: milling, turning, grinding
• Electropolishing, surface laser texturing
• Powder metallurgy, VPS and APS coating processes
• PVD, CVD coatings; selective laser melting (SLM) for Mo and W where applicable

Applications

• Medical diagnostic imaging and CT
• Security X‑ray systems
• Industrial quality assurance and inspection
• Food industry X‑ray inspection
• Measurement and analytical X‑ray systems

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Materials: Mo, TZM, MHC, MoNb, W, WRe, WVM, DENSIMET®, copper and copper‑bearing alloys, nickel‑base alloys, graphite
• Coatings: TiO2‑Al2O3, PVD, CVD, VPS, APS; anti‑dust and emission‑enhancing coatings
• Focal tracks: powder‑metallurgical and VPS W / WRe; soldered focal tracks for linear anodes
• Manufacturing: laser/EDM cutting, copper back‑casting, soldering, EB welding, friction welding, precision machining, electropolishing, SLM (Mo/W)
• Design optimisation: FEA for thermal and mechanical performance
• Quality: 100% testing, full traceability, REACH and RoHS compliance
• Packaging: individual and customer‑specific packaging for sensitive parts; delivery of high‑vacuum ready‑to‑install components