ASTM C968

The test methods in this method are designed to show whether a given material is in accordance with Specification C 922.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the analysis of sintered gadolinium oxide-uranium dioxide 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.

1.4 This test method describes the determination of nitrogen in gadolinium oxide-uranium dioxide pellets (Gd2O 3/UO2). With a 2 to 5-g sample, concentrations from 5 to 100 g of nitrogen are determined without interference.

1.5 The homogeneity of Gd2O3 in UO2 has been cited in Specification C 922 as an important requirement for this fuel form. The uniform distribution of gadolinia in urania will result in up to three components in the pellet: free Gd 2O3, free UO2, and a Gd2O3-UO 2 solid solution. There are a number of ways for assessing uniformity of which the ceramographic method described here may not be the most definitive. This technique has been used over the gadolinia concentration range from 1 to 10 weight %.

2. Referenced Documents

ASTM Standards
C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis
C1408 Test Method for Carbon (Total) in Uranium Oxide Powders and Pellets By Direct Combustion-Infrared Detection Method
C1413 Test Method for Isotopic Analysis of Hydrolyzed Uranium Hexafluoride and Uranyl Nitrate Solutions by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry
C1430 Test Method for Determination of Uranium, Oxygen to Uranium (O/U), and Oxygen to Metal (O/M) in Sintered Uranium Dioxide and Gadolinia-Uranium Dioxide Pellets by Atmospheric Equilibration
C1456 Test Method for Determination of Uranium or Gadolinium (or both) in Gadolinium Oxide-Uranium Oxide Pellets or by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
C1457 Test Method for Determination of Total Hydrogen Content of Uranium Oxide Powders and Pellets by Carrier Gas Extraction
C1502 Test Method for Determination of Total Chlorine and Fluorine in Uranium Dioxide and Gadolinium Oxide
C1517 Test Method for Determination of Metallic Impurities in Uranium Metal or Compounds by DC-Arc Emission Spectroscopy
C922 Specification for Sintered Gadolinium Oxide-Uranium Dioxide Pellets
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

Index Terms

ICS Number Code 27.120.30 (Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology)

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]