Significance and Use

Uranium hexafluoride used to produce nuclear fuel must meet certain criteria for its isotopic composition as described in Specifications C787 and C996 .

1. Scope

1.1 This method applies to the determination of isotopic composition in hydrolyzed nuclear grade uranium hexafluoride. It covers isotopic abundance of ²³⁵ U between 0.1 and 5.0 % mass fraction, abundance of ²³⁴ U between 0.0055 and 0.05 % mass fraction, and abundance of ²³⁶ U between 0.0003 and 0.5 % mass fraction. This test method may be applicable to other isotopic abundance providing that corresponding standards are available.

1.2 This test method can apply to uranyl nitrate solutions. This can be achieved either by transforming the uranyl nitrate solution to a uranyl fluoride solution prior to the deposition on the filaments or directly by depositing the uranyl nitrate solution on the filaments. In the latter case, a calibration with uranyl nitrate standards must be performed.

1.3 This test method can also apply to other nuclear grade matrices (for example, uranium oxides) by providing a chemical transformation to uranyl fluoride or uranyl nitrate solution.

1.4 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

C696 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranium Dioxide Powders and Pellets

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

C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment

C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solution or Crystals

C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to Less Than 5 % 235U

C1334 Specification for Uranium Oxides with a 235U Content of Less Than 5 % for Dissolution Prior to Conversion to Nuclear-Grade Uranium Dioxide

C1346 Practice for Dissolution of UF6 from P-10 Tubes ,

C1347 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis

C1348 Specification for Blended Uranium Oxides with 235U Content of Less Than 5 % for Direct Hydrogen Reduction to Nuclear Grade Uranium Dioxide

Keywords

isotopes; thermal ionization mass spectrometry; uranium hexafluoride; uranyl nitrate solutions; Hydrolysed uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ); Isotopic analysis; Mass spectrometry--nuclear materials/applications; Thermal ionization mass spectrometry; Uranium hexafluoride (UF 6 ); Uranyl nitrate solutions;

ICS Code

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

DOI: 10.1520/C1413-05R11

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM C1413