The structure and constitution of opaque materials can be studied with X‐ray imaging methods such as 3D tomography. To observe the dynamic evolution of their structure and the distribution of constituents, for example, during processing, heating, mechanical loading, etc., 3D imaging has to be fast enough. In this paper, the recent developments of time‐resolved X‐ray tomography that have led to what one now calls “tomoscopy” are briefly reviewed A novel setup is presented and applied that pushes temporal resolution down to just 1 ms, that is, 1000 tomograms per second (tps) are acquired, while maintaining spatial resolutions of micrometers and running experiments for minutes without interruption. Applications recorded at different acquisition rates ranging from 50 to 1000 tps are presented. The authors observe and quantify the immiscible hypermonotectic reaction of AlBi10 (in wt%) alloy and dendrite evolution in AlGe10 (in wt%) casting alloy during fast solidification. The combustion process and the evolution of the constituents are analyzed in a burning sparkler. Finally, the authors follow the structure and density of two metal foams over a long period of time and derive details of bubble formation and bubble ageing including quantitative analyses of bubble parameters with millisecond temporal resolution.

X‐ray tomography is a versatile tool in materials research and engineering since it allows for a non‐destructive and three‐dimensional mapping of the constituents of a heterogeneous material as long as they differ in their interactions with X‐rays. Recent developments of the technique have brought down the time needed for the acquisition of a single tomogram by many orders of magnitude compared to what was needed 25 years ago. Nowadays, up to 1000 full tomograms can be recorded in a second, which enables real‐time studies of changes in samples caused by reactions or by applied processing operations. The term tomoscopy has been coined for such sequences of 3D images. We review the application of X‐ray tomography and tomoscopy on metals and describe each step required and the associated challenges. A selection of representative investigations is presented with a focus on time‐resolved phenomena in metals and alloys ranging from mechanical deformation, solidification to metals processing processes such as welding and additive manufacturing. Finally likely future developments are discussed.

An aluminum foam sandwich (AFS) is a lightweight material that has great potential for applications in the automotive industry. In this work, the production routes of metal foams and metal foam sandwiches are reviewed. We compare the mechanical properties of AFS, such as high mass-specific bending stiffness, compressive strength and crash-absorption capacity, with other materials such as steel, aluminum alloys, or fiber composites and place them in a cost/weight comparison. Additional functional properties such as high electromagnetic damping, increased sound absorption, and improved fire resistance underline its multi-functional character. Furthermore, possible joining techniques and parts of AFS for modern car bodies, such as the battery box, are discussed.