If you have read the previous two articles that introduced closed and open micro-focus X-ray tubes, you may already know the fundamental difference between them: whether the tube can be opened to replace the filament.
Below, we use a comparison table to understand the difference between them:
| Type |
Closed |
Open |
| Price |
>20000USD |
>80000USD |
| Lifetime |
>10000h |
500-1000h each filament |
| Tube voltage |
<150kV |
>160kV |
| Focal spot |
5μm |
0.2μm |
| X-ray angle |
≤100° |
≥150° |
| FOD |
≈10mm |
0.5-1mm |
| Vacuum system |
Keep vacuum seal |
Vacuumize before use |
| Pre-heating time |
≈15min |
≈40min |
| Consumables |
None |
Filament, seal ring |
In general, the performance and parameters of the open microfocus X-ray tube surpass the closed type in all aspects, so it also pays the corresponding price: several times the price, longer pre-heating time, shorter Filament lifetime and higher maintenance costs.
Hamamatsu microfocus X-ray tubes
It can be said that the advantages of an open microfocus X-ray tube are good performance, and the advantages of a closed microfocus X-ray tube are low price and easy to use.
The differences between them lead to a different application, for example, closed microfocus X-ray tubes are enough to detect ordinary printed circuit boards with a thickness of 5 mm, or LED light boards. And when people need to detect thicker products, or look for defects less than 5 microns, only open-type microfocus X-ray tubes you can choose.
