Significance and Use

This test method is applicable to uranium metal, uranium oxides and compounds soluble in nitric or sulfuric acid, and uranium solutions which can be converted to uranium oxide (U ₃ O ₈ ) in a muffle furnace. It may be used to determine the impurities in uranium compounds as listed in Specifications C 753 , C 776 , C 788 , and C 967 .

1. Scope

1.1 This test method describes the steps necessary for the preparation and determination of impurity metals in uranium metal and uranium compounds by DC arc emission spectroscopy.

1.2 The method is valid for those materials that can be dissolved in acid and/or converted to an oxide in a muffle furnace (see Practice C 1347 ).

1.3 This method uses the carrier distillation technique to selectively carry the impurities into the arc, leaving the uranium oxide in the electrode. If it is necessary to determine the carrier metal(usually a silver or strontium, or gallium compound) as an impurity, another technique must be chosen for that element.

1.4 Units The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.5 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment. 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder

C761 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride

C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets

C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals

C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials

C967 Specification for Uranium Ore Concentrate

C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis

E130 Practice for Designation of Shapes and Sizes of Graphite Electrodes

E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials

Keywords

carrier distillation; dc-arc; emission spectroscopy; impurities in uranium; DC-arc emission spectroscopy; Impurities--nuclear materials; Metals and metallic materials--irradiation; Muffle-furnace technique; Spectroscopy--emission; Uranium metal; Uranium oxide (U 3 O 8 );

ICS Code

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

DOI: 10.1520/C1517-09

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM C1517