ASTM C809

Aluminum oxide pellets are used in a reactor core as filler or spacers within fuel, burnable poison, or control rods. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for 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 785.

3.1.1 Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded.

Aluminum oxide-boron carbide composite pellets are used in a reactor core as a component in neutron absorber rods. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for boron content, isotopic composition, and impurity content as described in Specification C 784.

3.2.1 The material is assayed for boron to determine whether the boron content is as specified by the purchaser.

3.2.2 Determination of the isotopic content of the boron is made to establish whether the ¹⁰B concentration is in compliance with the purchaser’specifications.

3.2.3 Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, and spectrochemical analysis of nuclear-grade aluminum oxide and aluminum oxide-boron carbide composite pellets to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

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 Section 5.)

2. Referenced Documents

ASTM Standards
C784 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets
C785 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide Pellets
C791 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Boron Carbide
C799 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solutions
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
E115 Practice for Photographic Processing in Optical Emission Spectrographic Analysis
E116 Practice for Photographic Photometry in Spectrochemical Analysis

Index Terms

alumina/boron carbide pellets; alumina pellets; A12O3; A12O3/B4C; analytical methods; ICS Number Code 27.120.30 (Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology)

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]