ASTM C697

Plutonium dioxide is used in mixtures with uranium dioxide as a nuclear-reactor fuel. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for plutonium content, isotopic composition, and impurity content. These test methods are designed to show whether or not a given material meets the specifications for these items as described in Specification C 757.

3.1.1 An assay is performed to determine whether the material has the minimum plutonium content specified on a dry weight basis.

3.1.2 Determination of the isotopic content of the plutonium in the plutonium dioxide powder is made to establish whether the effective fissile content is in compliance with the purchaser’specifications.

3.1.3 Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded. Determination of impurities is also required for calculation of the equivalent boron content (EBC).

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, and spectrochemical analysis of nuclear-grade plutonium dioxide powders and pellets to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Sections 6, 15, 24, 111, and 52.9 and 101.5.1.

2. Referenced Documents

C1009 Guide for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
C1068 Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
C1108 Test Method for Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry
C1128 Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1156 Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1165 Test Method for Determining Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry in HSOat a Platinum Working Electrode
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1206 Test Method for Plutonium by Iron (II)/Chromium (VI) Amperometric Titration
C1210 Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
C1235 Test Method for Plutonium by Titanium(III)/Cerium(IV) Titration
C1268 Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Americium 241 in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
C1297 Guide for Qualification of Laboratory Analysts for the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1307 Test Method for Plutonium Assay by Plutonium(III) Diode Array Spectrophotometry
C1415 Test Method forPu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
C1432 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix Separation, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
C757 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powder, Sinterable
C852 Guide for Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E115 Practices for Photographic Processing in Optical Emission Spectrographic Analysis
E116 Practice for Photographic Photometry in Spectrochemical Analysis
E60 Practice for Photometric and Spectrophotometric Methods for Chemical Analysis of Metals

Index Terms

impurity content; isotopic composition; plutonium content; plutonium dioxide pellets; plutonium dioxide powders; ICS Number Code 27.120.30

Citing ASTM Standards

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