[en] The physical principles underlying the use of gamma-ray scattering to detect composition variations in bulk alloy samples are described and the sensitivity of the method, which is an alternative to conventional transmission radiography, is evaluated for titanium alloys. The elastic (Rayleigh) and inelastic (Compton) scattered beas are beams are recorded separately and their intensities used to monitor composition changes collectively and individually. The sensitivity of the method is illustrated by measurements on titanium alloys containing aluminium and zirconium. (author)